The Apapa Premier Port now wears a new, decent look as its business activities are being transformed to march international standard, courtesy of the dutiful and highly disciplined Customs Area Controller (CAC), Dr. Babatunde Olomu
By Innocent Chukwu
Business activities at the Apapa Premier Port have taken a new shape and new dimension under the supervision of the Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge of the Apapa Area 1 Command, Dr Babatunde Olomu. Comptroller Olomu’s leadership has taken the port to a competing stance with other ports in developed economies, and this claim has been confirmed by numerous international business people who have had one dealing or the other with the Premier Port in the recent times.
The transformation in business activities at the nation’s number one seaport has not come without benefits to the Federal Government which are visible in the surging revenue generation, as well as strong, resilient fight against smuggling activities. The Federal Government appears satisfied with the renewal of the port. But the Customs Area Command is still waxing stronger in the security of the nation through the interception of numerous harmful imports which would have passed unnoticed.
Consequently, on Monday, August 11, 2025, the Comptroller Olomu-led Command never rested on its oars when the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, came from the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria National Customs Service (NCS) to showcase the seizure of 16 containers of illicit products which were brought into the country by die-hard smugglers through the Apapa Premier Port. The seizure was monumental and attracted the attention of the authorities to the ongoing reforms in Apapa Premier Port.
Speaking at the event which was attended by the top Customs hierarchy, Adeniyi had said, “Today, we have seizures of 16 containers laden with prohibited drugs, expired medicament, expired food and other items which contravened our import prohibition guidelines, including arms and ammunition. These smuggled items have a harmful effect on the health and wellbeing of unsuspecting Nigerians who would have consumed them in addition to causing insecurity in the country.
“It is important to once again reiterate that the NCS is committed to rid Nigeria of illicit and harmful medical importation by breaking their supply chain as we ensure they don’t go beyond our seaports, airports and land borders into our commercial ecosystem.
“Despite our campaigns against these kinds of importation backed with seizures and arrests, the people I call merchants of death have chosen the Apapa Port as entry point for prohibited items. But as usual, they failed to pull through. We are resolute to confront these people who do not mean well for Nigerians and the economy by ensuring our entry points are not used for their unlawful acts.”
While commending Customs operatives in Apapa Port, Adeniyi said they achieved the feat with the support of internal intelligence and sister government agencies, which culminated in the seizure of three containers of expired margarine, three containers of used clothes and five containers of expired drugs, prohibited medicament and colorado hemp.
The Customs helmsman also said, “On July 24, 2025, during a joint physical examination with the NDLEA, a 1x40ft container number MRSU 6407089 was found to contain 202 cans of Colorado Loud (a specie of cannabis from Canada) with each can weighing 500 grams totaling 101Kg. Inside the same container, we uncovered two pump action rifles, 25 cartridges of ammunition, one Smith & Wesson Pistol with 55 rounds of ammunition, one blank and other accessories.”
“Confirming a case of false declaration and attempting to circumvent our processes, the system bill of laden listed the items of import as three Toyota Sienna and one Toyota Camry vehicles with the consignee as one Babatunde Ogidiolu Samuel.
“Consequently, two suspects, the agent, one Mr. Modi Azuka of No.1 Miracle Street, Ago Palace Way, and another suspect identified as Mrs. Lisa Akpedeme have been arrested and detained in connection with the Canadian Loud and weapons. They are currently undergoing interrogation.”
Other seized containers are those marked OERU 4243517 (40FT) found to contain 1,290 sacks of frozen chicken breast and another marked as FBIU 5507953 found to contain (40FT)1,290 sacks of frozen chicken breasts.
In a related development, another seized container marked ZCSU 7277511 (40FT) contained 305 cartons of toothpaste without NAFDAC Registration number, cartons of slippers concealed in 46 cartons of beads and40 cartons of Jalabiya, among others.
Also, in a separate incident, a container numbered CAIU 4979294 1×40 was found to contain CSP codeine syrup; another 1×40 container marked MRKU 3738603 was found to contain 1,100 cartons of expired chest and lungs tablets without NAFDAC number.
Adeniyi disclosed, “The Duty Paid Value of the seized items is N N10.273 billion. We have vowed to protect the national economy, the well-being of citizens and residents of Nigeria remains unshaken. Once again, we caution that the NCS, with the support of our strategic partners, will keep delivering uncompromising enforcement backed by intelligence to detect and seize all prohibited items.
Last week, Olomu told the command’s stakeholders that his leadership will never allow smugglers to outwit his officers. He insisted that intelligence-led operations and uncompromising enforcement would remain the Apapa Area 1 Customs Command’s strongest tools against illicit trade and all forms of smuggling activities.
The CAC Olomu dropped the hints on Monday, August 18, 2025 when he hosted Dr. Martin Iluyomade, the Director of Inspection and Enforcement at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who also chairs the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Drugs.
Comptroller Olomu added that smugglers’ renewed antics, including fake registration numbers and false declarations, have consistently failed due to the Command’s vigilance. He reaffirmed Apapa Command’s commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding between Customs and NAFDAC, designed to block the entry of fake drugs, unwholesome foods, and other prohibited items.
Speaking at the reception, Olomu said, “We are committed to not just seizing contrabands but arresting the perpetrators. Removing the human element from the smuggling chain is crucial to protecting Nigerians and deterring others from attempting these crimes.”
Citing the recent seizure of 32 containers of unwholesome goods personally supervised by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Olomu said the handover of the seizures to NAFDAC was proof of the synergy between both agencies.
Dr. Iluyomade, who was visibly impressed by Comptroller Olomu’s performances, described him as “the best Controller Apapa Command ever had.” He praised the Command’s “life-saving seizures,” stressing that while guns may kill a few people, fake drugs and harmful foods could “wipe out an entire nation.”
Iluyomade further appealed for tighter security of seized containers before NAFDAC evacuates them, as he commended the Apapa Customs Command under Comptroller Olomu for earning NAFDAC’s recent award as the best-performing customs formation in NIgeria.
