By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made fresh seizures of prohibited goods valued at over N3.2 billion, reaffirming its commitment to the fight against smuggling and importation of harmful items into the country.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing held at the Command, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller B.O. Olomu, PhD, announced the interception of six containers loaded with unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, cosmetics, and two stolen luxury vehicles.
“These seizures are the result of uncompromising anti-smuggling efforts and strategic enforcement,” Olomu said, noting that the seizures were made under the guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, who recently showcased 12 containers of seized drugs at the same command.
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He explained that two of the intercepted containers contained 1,698 cartons of RTPL CSC cough syrup with codeine concealed in water closets, and 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup hidden in toilet seats. These two containers alone have a street value of N2.71 billion and were intercepted through joint efforts with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and international partners.
Two other containers were found to be carrying various unregistered pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products falsely declared as truck tyres, kitchen wares, and tables. These included packages of Globatin anti-marks cream, Clobetasol cream, Rabeprazole, Zahifranil tablets, and vancomycin hydrochloride.
In addition, one of the containers was discovered to have concealed two stolen Lexus SUVs from Canada – a 2024 Lexus RX 450 and a 2023 Lexus RX 350 – falsely declared as food items. Another container was loaded with 390 bales of used clothing, which contravenes Nigeria’s import prohibition list.
Olomu reiterated that while the NCS is committed to facilitating trade and collecting revenue, it is also tasked with protecting Nigerians from harmful goods. He stressed that the command is not sacrificing compliance for trade facilitation and warned that smugglers seeking to profit off the health and safety of Nigerians will be stopped.
Also speaking at the event, Assistant Commander General Narcotics Buba Wakawa of the NDLEA hailed the collaboration between Customs and sister agencies, describing the seizures as proof of the effectiveness of international and local partnerships.
Wakawa noted that the criminals had attempted to evade detection by using companies from countries without memorandums of understanding with Nigeria to divert codeine into the country. He assured journalists and the public that investigations into the origins and destination of the seized items are ongoing and that updates will be provided in due course.
The Apapa Command reaffirmed its resolve to continue to rid the ports of illegal imports while strengthening inter-agency synergy and border control measures.
