By Andrew Utulu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area 1 Command, otherwise known as Apapa Premier Port, said it has intercepted and seized six containers laden with prohibited items.
The Command revealed that the seized goods were valued at N3,247,427,969.00 in Duty Paid Value (DPV).
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller of the Command disclosed during a press briefing in Lagos.
The Controller said the seizures were as a result of the painstaking efforts of officers and men of the Command.
“We recently uncovered 6 more containers laden with prohibited items mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals. Other items in the seized containers are cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country. These seizures are worth a total DPV:N3,247,427,969.00.”
The Customs boss gave a breakdown of the seizures which were in three categories as:
The first category was container No.SUDU 8685733(40FT).
This container was said to be found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet.
Next was the container No.MRSU 4846204(40FT), found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat.
The two seizures, according to Comptroller Olomu have a street value of N2,710,400,000.00.
“Interestingly, these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).”
The category 2 container comprises of No. ONEU 1153150(40 FT) found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks &30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as truck tyres and container No.MRSU 3258823(40 FT) found to contain Rabeprazole, for injection,25mg Zahifranil tablets,1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
Category 3 comprises of container No.MRKU 0904594 (40 FT) which was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada. A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chassis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chassis 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.
“Therefore, while we facilitate trade, collect revenue for the government, the NCS owe the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing,” Comptroller Olomu asserted.
He added that as officers at the nation’s largest, busiest and premier port, “We are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchant of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances like the ones I am showing you today. We also intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that were attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria like I mentioned earlier on.
“In addition to contravening the Nigeria Service Act 2023, these imported containers with prohibited items also also violate the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV -which is a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorized 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.
“Let me use this briefing to intimate you that having crossed the one trillion- naira collection before the end of the fifth month, we have so far generated a total of N1,094 trillion as at 21 May 2025.
“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we’ve done before, we are ready to do better this year.
“Our chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for us and attests to our capacity to do more. For instance, in 2024, we, collected N18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of N18.9 billion and on 20 May 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of N18.919 billion. All these were groundbreaking daily collections.
“Finally, let me use this briefing to warn that Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful items and our officers are very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.” Olomu sounded a note of warning to smugglers and others who engage in economic sabotage.
“Today we gathered to update you on our recent seizures which are fallouts of uncompromising anti-smuggling activities and further intimate you on the various successes recorded in the command recently.
“Let me start by saying that this command is not sacrificing compliance on the altar of trade facilitation. On my watch and with the inspiring guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was in command two weeks ago to showcase 12 containers of seized pharmaceuticals,” the Apapa Premier Port CAC enthused.
