- Compt. Babatunde Olomu and representatives of sister-regulatory agencies during the display of intercepted contraband imports at the Apapa Port…Thursday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Two weeks after showcasing 12 seized containers of pharmaceuticals over regulatory infractions, the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has uncovered six more containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals and other illegal imports with a total DPV N3.25 billion.
Displaying the imports before newsmen at the Apapa Port in Lagos on Thursday, Compt. Babatunde Olomu said the other items included cosmetics, used clothing and two illegally imported vehicles.
According to Compt. Olomu, one of the containers had 1,698 of RTPL CSC cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet, and another had 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat, both seizures with a combined street value of N2.71 billion.
He explained that both containers were intercepted based on international collaboration and local networking with officers and men of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Also in the containers were 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks and 30g Clobetasol cream, which were falsely declared as truck tyres.
Other included Rabeprazole for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets,1000mg Cancomycine hydrochloride, Ciprophetadine with Vitamin B complex, as well as other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, which were falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
In another category were 2024 Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741, both vehicles stolen from Canada and falsely declared as food items.
The remaining container had 390 bales of used clothing, which contravenes the import prohibition law, Olomu said.
Meanwhile, the comptroller noted that while the command facilitates trade and collects revenue for government, the NCS has a duty to protect citizens from dangerous imports 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 merchants of death, whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances,” he stated.
“In addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, these imported containers with prohibited medical items also violated the World Customs Organisation’s Operation Stop IV, which is a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorised 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.”
In revenue performance, Olomu disclosed that the command, having crossed the one trillion-naira collection before the end of the fifth month, has so far generated a total of N1.094 trillion as at May 21, 2025. According to him, the collection confirms the command’s trajectory and antecedent of meeting and surpassing its target.
Meanwhile, he warned that Apapa Port would remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity, adding that the officers are very much ready to unearth concealments, make seizures or arrest smugglers.
