The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted six containers laden with prohibited items, including unregistered pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, used clothing, and two illegally imported vehicles into the country, all valued at ₦3,247,427,969 billion.
This was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, during a press briefing held on Thursday.
His words: “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 MFR, who was in the command two weeks ago to showcase 12 containers of seized pharmaceuticals.
“Consequently, as a result of our painstaking efforts, 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 (Three billion, Two hundred and forty-seven million, Four hundred and twenty-seven thousand Nine hundred and sixty-nine naira).”
According to Comptroller Olomu, the seizures were categorised into three groups.
Category 1 – Container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT) contained 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet; Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT) held 1,690 cartons of Codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat.
Olomu noted that the street value of the two containers is valued at ₦2,710,400,000 billion, explaining that these seizures were made possible through international collaboration and local networking with officers and men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Category 2 – Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 FT) contained 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks and 30g Clobetasol cream, falsely declared as truck tyres.
Container No. MRSU 3258823 (40 FT) contained Rabeprazole for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg Vancomycine Hydrochloride, Ciprophetadine with Vitamin B Complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration numbers, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
Category 3 – Container No. MRKU 0904594 (40 FT) contained two stolen vehicles from Canada: A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707, and a 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741, falsely declared as food items.
Container No. SEKU 4716830 (40FT) contained 390 bales of used clothing, which is prohibited under Nigerian import laws.
Speaking further, the Apapa Customs boss said: “Therefore, while we facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, the NCS owe the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing.
“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 shall be showing you today. We also intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that was attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria like I mentioned earlier on.”
He noted that the importation of unregistered pharmaceutical items violates both the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV – a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorised medical supplies.
Olomu revealed that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.
The Comptroller also provided update on the Command’s revenue performance saying, “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 1,094 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.”
He mentioned that the Command’s chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly and attests to its capacity to do more.
“For instance, in October 2024, we collected ₦18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of ₦18.9 billion and on 20 May, 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of ₦18.919 billion. All these were groundbreaking daily collections,” he added.
He warned that the Apapa Port will remain a “no-go area” for any unlawful activity, adding that its officers are very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.
