PTML Generates Over ₦350 Billion in Nine Months, Seizes ₦200 Million Worth of Unregistered Pharmaceuticals
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Joe Anani, has reported that the Command generated a total of ₦350,347,173,787.92 between January and September 2025.
According to Anani, this figure represents 96.64% of the total ₦362,521,085,250.98 collected in the entire year of 2024, indicating strong and sustained revenue performance.
He further disclosed that during the third quarter of 2025, the Command generated ₦116,243,603,670.58, showing a 34.3% increase compared to ₦86,584,012,733.43 collected in the same period of 2024. Anani noted that PTML’s consistent growth was achieved despite initial challenges associated with the B’Odogwu platform, which the Command has continued to address effectively.
Anti-Smuggling Efforts
In enforcement operations, Comptroller Anani revealed that officers of the Command intercepted two containers laden with unregistered pharmaceutical products valued at about ₦200 million.
One of the containers, a 20-foot unit (No. GCNU1275880), was falsely declared as supermarket goods but, upon thorough inspection, was found to contain assorted pharmaceutical drugs. Another 40-foot container (No. ACLU9806850), declared as magnetic resonance imaging equipment, was discovered to conceal 6,262 cartons of antibiotics of different brands.
The seizures also included arms and ammunition, such as one WE Tactical Airsoft pistol (made in Taiwan), two magazines, and 12 live rounds.
In accordance with the collaborative framework between the NCS and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the intercepted containers were handed over to NAFDAC’s Director of Port Inspection Directorate.
Commitment to Compliance and Security
Comptroller Anani reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to upholding national security, stating:
“Our anti-smuggling and enforcement drives remain intact without compromise. We will not sacrifice national security on the altar of trade facilitation.”
He expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their cooperation and urged continued compliance with customs regulations, emphasizing that compliance “saves time, saves money, and builds a strong reputation for business growth toward achieving Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.”
Receiving the seized pharmaceuticals, Dr. Olakunle Olaniran, Director of NAFDAC’s Port Inspectorate Division, commended the Customs Service for its proactive enforcement efforts. He described the partnership between both agencies as a “working and life-saving collaboration” and encouraged Nigerians to purchase medicines only from registered and approved vendors.
Dr. Olaniran also lauded Comptroller Anani for supporting NAFDAC’s mission to protect public health by preventing the importation of unregistered and potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals into the country.
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