The Apapa Customs Area Command continues to pound die-hard smugglers from different directions resulting in the recent interception of nine containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals worth N9.2billion, and shutting down three terminals
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the seizure of nine containers carrying unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, expired margarine, wild animals’ skin, and codeine syrup by eagle-eyed officers of the command.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu who spoke at a recent media briefing in Lagos on Thursday, July 3, 2025 said the nine arrested containers formed part of the 27 containers seized between January and June 2025 with a Duty Paid Value of (DPV) of N9,267,443,966.00.
Giving more details of the seizure, Comptroller Olomu said “The seizures are inclusive of 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, two containers of codeine syrup, two containers of stolen vehicles, four containers of second-hand clothing, amongst others.
“These seizures are a fallout of our efforts at preventing Nigerians from unwholesome foods and drugs, stopping illicit trade and protecting our local industries.
“As a standard, we will never compromise the health, well-being, safety of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation. Every consignment passing through our port undergoes diligent check through scanning and physical examination when required.
“Unregistered pharmaceuticals are most prominent on the list of the twenty-eight (28) seizures made by the command during the period under review. The seizures comprise of controlled drugs, used clothes, codeine syrup, wild animals’ skin and other sundry items.
“It is pertinent to note that trafficking of wild animals contravenes the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which Nigeria is a signatory. Equally, on the detention list is a container of matches imported without the required End User Certificate (EUC) as provided for in our extant laws.
“As a fallout from our uncompromising anti-smuggling operations, we have sealed three bonded terminals under the Command for various infractions. One of the terminals has been charged to court for prosecution while investigation is still ongoing on the remaining two terminals.”
The CAC also sounded a note of warning to perpetrators of illegal acts, adding that the Apapa Port Customs Command is manned by eagle-eyed officers who are activated to detect and seize un-custom goods with a clear mandate to arrest perpetrators.
He said further, “We have demonstrated our capacity in this regard and we shall continue to do more.”
On trade facilitation, Olomu hinted that the Command between January and June 2025 generated the sum of N1.378 trillion as revenue into Federal Government coffers.
Olomu also urged all officers and men of the command to double their efforts in order to make surpassing the target a reality.
Also speaking at the press briefing, Commander of Narcotics, Apapa Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Buba Wakawa said most importers of fake pharmaceuticals and other illicit drugs usually make use of fake companies and addresses.
“Most of the drugs being imported are brought in the name of fake companies. We have some cases we are prosecuting at the Federal High Court and we had to use their NIN to trace the perpetrators. But, if you use the Bill of laden, it won’t lead anywhere” he said.
