- Some of the intercepted unregistered and undeclared drugs on display during the briefing in Lagos
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Approximately ₦350.35 billion was collected by the Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) from January to September 2025, the Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani.
Compt. Anani, who disclosed this at his maiden news briefing in Lagos following his recent posting to the command, said the figure is 96.64 per cent of the command’s revenue collection of ₦362.52 billion for the entire 2024.
He further disclosed that the command also intercepted a 1x20ft container falsely declared as supermarket items but found to contain pharmaceutical drugs upon 100 per cent examination.
He also revealed that the command recorded a total of ₦116.24 billion revenue for 2025 Q3, which is 34.3 per cent higher than the ₦86.58 billion collected during the corresponding period of 2024.
According to him, comparatively, the command maintained a steady increase in revenue collection in the last quarter in spite of the teething challenges of the B’Odogwu platform, which it is fast overcoming.
On anti-smuggling drive, the CAC said that two containers of unregistered medicines were intercepted, one of which had one unit of WE Tactical made-in-Taiwan Airsoft pistol, two magazines and 12 rounds of live ammunitions.
The other 1x40ft container, falsely declared as magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, was upon 100 per cent examination found to contain 6,262 cartons of antibiotics of various brands.
“Our anti-smuggling and enforcement drives remain intact without compromise,” he stated. “As a command, we are not compromising national security on the altar of trade facilitation.
“I have visited various agencies of government and received them in my office on similar visits where we renewed our resolve for regular cooperation, inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing and crime prevention strategies.
“I want to thank our stakeholders and urge them once again to stay obedient to the law. Compliance saves time, money, and helps in building a reputation for business growth towards migration into the AEO status.”
In line with the collaboration NCS policy thrust, Compt. Anani handed the seized containers to the Director of Port Inspectorate Division at NAFDAC, Dr. Olakunle Olaniran.
Commending the understanding between both agencies, he urged Nigerians to patronise only registered pharmaceutical vendors.
He further commended Compt. Anani for supporting NAFDAC to safeguard Nigerian lives by ensuring that such prohibited drugs, including hypertension drugs and other prescription medications without NAFDAC numbers, are not allowed into the country.
