As Apapa Command Records N921million seizures

The Customs Comptroller Genera,l CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted unregistered pharmaceutical products, expired food items  and controlled security equipment worth over N921million at the Apapa Customs Command in Lagos even the Service  intensifies enforcement operations to curb smuggling through the ports and land borders.

The CGC told newsmen that the seizures were made between January and April 2025 in separate interdictions, comprising five 40-foot containers, two 20-foot containers, and concealed contraband.

Admitting and taking responsibility for hitches being experienced with the B’Odogwu platform, he said Customs is fully aware of the challenges and working to address them.

“We know there would be issues and challenges at this initial stages of the roll out of the B’Odogwu project which we are not shying away from. Stakeholders are assured that these temporary setbacks are being looked into and will be fully resolved soon”

The CGC said the Service is increasing  surveillance across seaports, airports, and land borders to nip new tactics by criminal gangs trying to breach the country’s import protocols.

Giving details of the seizures made by the Apapa Command, the CGC highlighted:

“Among the seized items were unregistered medicines lacking mandatory certification from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), expired margarine products, and restricted security gadgets including drones and telecommunication devices without end-user certificates from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“The seizures included 89 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products in container CAAU6514500, 242 cartons in container TCNU6880130, and 1,001 cartons of hydra-sildenafil citrate tablets in container MRSU3041714. Another 40-footer container was found to contain 1,400 packages of various unregistered drugs, while a fifth had 805 packages falsely declared as cosmetic powder,” he explained.

according to him, the Service also intercepted two 20-foot containers—GCNU1367992 and GCNU1372704—containing expired margarine products. Additionally, 60 units of warrior drones without valid end-user certificates were recovered from container MSKU9329923, valued at N15.9 million.

“Another 53 helicopter drones, evacuated from a container marked CFAX3, carried an estimated duty-paid value of N2.1 million. Ten professional FM transceiver walkie-talkies were also confiscated from ENL, while a 20-footer container (SUDU1408819) was found to contain 500 packages of active medicine tablets lacking NAFDAC certification.

“The analysis of these seizures revealed five key smuggling trends. First was the disturbing proliferation of sexual enhancement drugs, as five of the 11 containers seized were laden with variants of sildenafil citrate and other related substances,” he said.

Calling for public vigilance and awareness on the risks and dangers inherent in such fake and expired products, the noted that there is  a growing pattern of false declaration, with importers labeling pharmaceuticals as general merchandise or cosmetics in an attempt to evade detection.

“We have recorded 22 narcotics-related interceptions in the first quarter of 2025 alone, with a duty-paid value of N730 billion—a 34.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

He credited these results to the Service’s intelligence driven enforcement strategy and collaboration with regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC, the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The CGC emphasized that the Service has further developed its Intelligence gathering capabilities and broadened its collaborative networks within and out side Nigeria to beat smugglers in any guise to imports prohibited items and products into the country.

He warned the full wrath of the law shall be unleashed on dubious and unpatriotic elements who attempt any form of illegalities in their trading businesses.

Public School Renovation

In a related development the CGC led other senior officers of the Service to the  Island of Sagbokoji , in Amuwo Odofin LGA of Lagos State, as the Apapa Customs Command,  led in total renovation and restructuring of the Government Nursery and Primary School, which was abandoned and neglected by the the Amuwo LG

Following Customs intervent through it Customs Cares Program, the school now wears a  new look with aluminum roofing, Solar light, water, gates even as books, schools bags and other educational items were donated by the Service.