N3.2bn Unregistered Pharmaceuticals Seized at Apapa Port, 3 Arrested
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collected N1.094 trillion in revenue between January and May 21, 2025. During this period, the command intercepted six containers containing unregistered pharmaceuticals and other prohibited goods worth N3.2 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV). According to Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, PhD, the seized items also include cosmetics, used clothing, and two vehicles illegally imported from Canada. He disclosed this while showcasing the seized goods to the media in Apapa, Lagos.
He disclosed that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures and are currently undergoing interrogation to face the full consequences of the law. The Controller noted that these seizures are a follow-up to the 12 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals previously impounded by the Command, which were showcased in Lagos about two weeks ago with the assistance of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
He provided a breakdown of the containers’ contents and their Duty Paid Values (DPV), categorizing them accordingly. The first category involves Container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT), containing 1,698 units of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine, cleverly concealed in 202 packages of water closet fixtures. Additionally, Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT) comprises 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup, similarly concealed in toilet seats. The estimated street value of these two seizures is approximately N2.7 billion.
The containers were intercepted through international collaboration and local networking with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), showcasing the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in combating smuggling and drug trafficking.
Dr Olomu stated that the ones in the second Category, Container No.ONEU 1153150(40 FT) contains 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks &30g Clobetasol creamfalsely declared as TRUCK TYRES while Container No.MRSU 3258823(40FT) carried Rabeprazole, for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets,1000mg vancomycinehydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
He explained that those in Category 3, Container No.MRKU 0904594(40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada, A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741, falsely declared as food items, while container No.SEKU 4716830(40 FT ) was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing, which contravenes the import prohibition law.
Dr Olomu stated that while the Customs facilitates trade, collects revenue for government, the Service still owes the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing.
The Controller stated that as officers at the nation’s largest,busiest and Premier port, the Command is determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchants of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances.
Explaining further, he said in addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the imported containers with prohibited medical items also violate the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV -which is a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorized medicals.
Comptroller Olomu pointed out that having surpassed the N1 trillion mark before the end of the fifth month of May 2025, the feat has confirmed the Command’s trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing its target. He stated that just as the Command exceeded its target last year, it will far surpass it this year.
Citing instances, he said in October 2024, the Command collected N18.2 billion; March 14, 2025, it recorded a feat of N18.9 billion while on 20 May,2025, it collected N18.919 billion, saying all these were ground breaking daily collections.
He warned that Apapa Command will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity while its officers are very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.
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