Apapa Customs Intercepts 9 Containers of Unregistered Pharmaceuticals Worth N9.2billion, Shuts Down Three Terminals
By DAPO OLAWUNI
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.
Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Compt Babatunde Olomu speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, said the nine arrested containers forms part of the 27 containers seized between January-June 2025 with a duty paid value of (DPV) of N9,267,443,966.00.
Giving more details of the seizure, Compt Olomu said “The seizures are inclusive of 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, 2 containers of codeine syrup, 2 containers of stolen vehicles, 4 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 undergo diligent check through scanning and physical examination when required.
“Unregistered pharmaceuticals is most prominent on the list of 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 3 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”
Compt Olomu sounded a note of warning to perpetrators of illegal acts, saying that Apapa Port Command is manned by eagle eyed officers who are activated to detect and seize uncustom goods with a clear mandate to arrest perpetrators.
“We have demonstrated our capacity in this regard and we shall continue to do more” he vowed.
On trade facilitation, Compt Olomu disclosed that the Command between January and June 2025 has generated the sum of N1.378billion as revenue to federal government coffers.
Compt Olomu urged all officers of the command to double their efforts in order to make surpassing the target a reality.
Also speaking at the press briefing, Commnder 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.
