The Federal Government Joint Committee on the destruction of fake, illicit, and expired pharmaceuticals, at the weekend, destroyed 200 containers of substandard drugs worth billions of naira imported into the country through the Apapa and Tin Can Island seaports.
This comes after the committee had earlier destroyed 250 containers of similar expired pharmaceutical products in January 2025.
With this development, the committee, comprising the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Nigerian Army destroyed a total of 450 containers of expired drugs in the first quarter of 2025.
The destruction exercise, which took place in Epe, Lagos State, is part of a broader federal government initiative aimed at curbing the importation of illicit and controlled drugs to safeguard public health and reduce drug-related crimes across the country.
The destroyed pharmaceuticals include Tramadol, Codeine, Apetamine, Analgin injection, among others.
Speaking to newsmen, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the initiative is crucial to preventing the circulation of dangerous substances such as Tramadol and Codeine, which are often abused and contribute to criminal activities in the country.
Mallam Ribadu, who was represented by an NSA official, Ibrahim Sulaiman, said the destroyed drugs were seized from Apapa, Tin Can, and Lekki seaports.
He further disclosed that a similar destruction exercise had already been conducted in Port Harcourt as part of the first phase.
“The National Security Adviser is very passionate about ensuring that these illicit drugs do not remain in circulation. The government will not allow perpetrators to act with impunity; they will be arrested and prosecuted,” he stated.
ALSO READ: ICPC boss reaffirms commitment to transparency in Nigeria’s procurement system
The intercepted drugs were either expired or classified as controlled substances that should only be used under strict medical supervision.
Also speaking, an Assistant Customs Controller, A.O. Oguntuase from FOU Zone A, emphasised the enforcement efforts of security agencies in tracking and intercepting these illegal imports.
“Through intelligence gathering and swift action, we have been able to prevent the distribution of these drugs. The value of the destroyed substances is enormous, with each container estimated to be worth close to a billion naira,” he said.
The authorities reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on drug smugglers and ensuring the safety of Nigerians. They warned that any individuals or groups involved in the illegal importation of these substances would face legal consequences.
On his part, the representative of the NDLEA, DC Omotosho Solomon, stated that suspects arrested in connection with the goods are already being tried in court, following a court order on their destruction.
Solomon warned importers engaged in the trafficking of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals to desist from such acts or face the full wrath of the law on illegal importation.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then