The Apapa Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday announced that it seized six containers laden with prohibited items like unregistered pharmaceutical drugs, cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country worth N3,247,427,969.00 from India and Canada.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday at the Apapa Port, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Customs Command, Babatunde Olomu warned that the command will not sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation.
According to Comptroller Olomu, “As a result of our painstaking efforts, we recently uncovered six containers laden with prohibited items mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals.
“Other items in the seized containers are cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country. These seizures are worth a total DPV: N3,247,427,969.00.
“The seizures can be broken down into three categories:
“Category 1: Container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT) was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet.
“Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT) was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat. The two seizures have a street value of N2,710,400.00.
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“Interestingly, these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“Category 2: Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 FT) found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks & 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as TRUCK TYRES.
“Container No. MRSU 3258823 (40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole, for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycin hydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
“Category 3: Container No. MRKU 0904594 (40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada. A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items.
“While container No. SEKU 4716830 (40 FT) was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing which contravenes the import prohibition law.”
On not sacrificing compliance on the altar of trade facilitation, Controller Olomu stated that, “While we facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, the NCS owe the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing.
“As officers at the nation’s largest, busiest and premier port, we are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchant of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances.
“We also intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that was attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria like I mentioned earlier on.
“In addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act. 2023, these Imported containers with prohibited medical items also violated the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV – which is a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorized medical supplies.
“So far, three suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.
“Let me use this briefing to intimate you that having crossed the one trillion-naira collection before the end of the fifth month, we have so far generated a total of 1,094 trillion as at 21st of May 2025.
“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we’ve done before, we are ready to do better this year
“Our chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for us and attests to our capacity to do more.
“For instance, in October 2024, we collected N18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of N18.9 billion and on 20 May, 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of N18.919 billion All these were groundbreaking daily collections.
“Finally, let me use this briefing to warn that Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity and our officers are very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.”
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