Apapa Customs Intercepts Prohibited Items, Unregistered Pharmaceuticals Worth ₦921m

The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted prohibited items and unregistered pharmaceuticals worth ₦921,021,213 million between January and April 2025.

The seizures comprise five units of 40-foot containers, two units of 20-foot containers and four loosely concealed contraband items.

CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Comptroller Adeniyi pointed out the three principal categories of the contraband items, including Category A, Category B and Category C.

According to him, Category A consists of unregistered pharmaceutical products lacking mandatory NAFDAC registration numbers and certification, which is a direct contravention of Section 28 of the NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004 (as amended). He noted that the products constitute 63.7% of the total seizure value.

Comptroller Adeniyi stated that Category B consists of expired food items with compromised safety profiles that pose an imminent danger to public health if introduced into the consumer market, in violation of the Food Products (Registration) Regulations and the Pre-Shipment Inspection of Exports Act.

He mentioned that Category C comprises controlled equipment, including drone technology and telecommunications devices imported without requisite End-User Certificates from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as mandated by the National Security Agencies Act.

The Customs boss also highlighted the detailed breakdown of the seizures as follows:

40FT Container No. CAAU 6514500 contained 891 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products, including REDSUN SILDENAFIL CITRATE ORAL JELLY (100MG), ANTI-DOULEUR HUILE (60ML), DR. ICO CYPROPHEPTADINE WITH MULTIVITAMIN TABLET, SAMSON OIL (2ML), ROCKET SILDENAFIL CITRATE TABLET (20OMG), DR. ICO HERBAL INHALER, and DR. ICO PAIN RELIEF OIL without NAFDAC Registration numbers, with a Duty Paid Value of ₦142,296,505.

40FT Container No. TCNU 6880130 contained 242 cartons of COL CAPS-CHLOROPHENIRAMINE-MALEATE CAPSULES (unregistered pharmaceuticals) without NAFDAC Registration numbers worth ₦140,101,224. “The container and its contents have been seized and will be condemned according to extant laws,” he said.

40FT Container NO. MRSU 3041714 contained 1,001 cartons/packages of HYEGRA SILDENAFIL CITRATE TABLETS 200mg (unregistered pharmaceuticals) without NAFDAC Registration numbers. The Comptroller revealed that they were falsely declared as OMEPRAZOLE CAPSULE with a DPV of ₦143,234,502, adding that the container has been seized in accordance with section 246(g) of the NCS Act 2023.

40FT Container No. UETU 6679312 contained 1,400 packages of ORIGINAL CHEST & LUNGS, VITAPLUS (BIG BOOTY TABLETS), CYPROHIPTADIN WITH B-COMPLEX TABLETS without NAFDAC Registration numbers worth ₦145,023,204.

40FT Container no. TCKU 6930113 contained 805 PACKAGES OF GBOGBONISE SKIN CREAM and 536 PACKAGES OF SKIN CHEMIST CREAM without NAFDAC Registration numbers, falsely declared as 1,341 packages of cosmetic powder with a Duty Paid Value of ₦141,576,012. Adeniyi stressed that both the container and its contents have been seized according to section 246(g) of the NCS Act.

20FT Container no. GCNU 1367992 contained expired Margarine products with a Duty Paid Value of ₦120,113,043, while the container and expired products have been seized and condemned via Federal High Court suit no. FHC/L/MISC/229/2024 of 6th May, 2024.

20FT Container no. GCNU 1372704 contained expired margarine products with a Duty Paid Value of ₦120,113,043 and the container has also been seized and condemned via Federal High Court suit no. FHC/L/MISC/229/2024 of 6th May 2024.

60 units of warrior drone – Comptroller Adeniyi disclosed that the drones (seizure No. NCS/INV/APQ/25/0001E of 16/01/025) were evacuated from container no. MSKU 9329923(40ft) for lack of End-user certificate and worth ₦15,914,681. He added that they were seized in line with extant laws.

53 units of different helicopter drones – He stated that the drones (seizure No. NCS/INV/APQ/25/002E OF 29/01/25) were evacuated from SIFAX III for lack of End-user certificate and with a DPV of ₦2,139,928.

10 Pieces of Professional FM transceiver walkie-talkie – The Customs leader mentioned that the communication devices (seizure No. NCS/INV/APQ/25/003E of 15/02/25) were evacuated from ENL for lack of End-user certificate and worth ₦520,000.

However, 20ft Container No. SUDU 1408819 contained 500 packages of ARTE-PHARMARTEQUICK (ARTEMISININ62.5mg/PIPERAQUANINE 375mg) without NAFDAC Registration number with a DPV of ₦70,102,114.

Comptroller Adeniyi equally revealed that upon meticulous analysis of these seizures, the Service has identified several significant patterns that warrant public attention and they are;

“Pattern of Sexual Enhancement Drugs: Five of the eleven seizures involved various forms of sildenafil citrate and related sexual enhancement medications. This is a disturbing trend in the importation of unregulated sexual performance drugs that pose serious health risks, including potential cardiovascular complications and harmful drug interactions when used without proper medical supervision.

“Strategic Misdeclaration Tactics: We have observed a sophisticated pattern of misdeclaration where importers deliberately classify pharmaceuticals as general merchandise or cosmetics. Container MRSU 3041714 declared sildenafil products as omeprazole capsules, while TCKU 6930113 concealed skin creams as cosmetic powder. This demonstrates calculated attempts to evade regulatory scrutiny.

“Diversification of Contraband Portfolio: The seizures reveal importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios—combining pharmaceuticals, food items, and controlled technology in systematic shipments. This suggests the emergence of organized networks with sophisticated logistics capabilities rather than isolated smuggling attempts.”

Others include, “Strategic Country of Origin Selection: Analysis reveals a pattern in the selection of countries of origin, with many consignments originating from jurisdictions with less stringent pharmaceutical export controls. This indicates deliberate exploitation of regulatory gaps in the international supply chain.

“Escalation of Non-Pharmaceutical Security Threats: The significant number of drone seizures (113 units across two incidents) without proper end-user certificates represents an emerging security concern beyond traditional contraband. The inclusion of communication devices suggests potential applications beyond recreational use.

“Financial Scale Analysis: The consistent valuation of pharmaceutical containers between ₦140-145 million per 40ft container indicates a standardized commercial operation with established pricing structures, suggesting these are not opportunistic shipments but rather systematic business operations.”

On inter-agency collaboration and operational context, Adeniyi affirmed that the NCS has ongoing strategic partnerships with critical regulatory agencies, including but not limited to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

He explained that these formal collaborations operate under established Memoranda of Understanding and joint operational frameworks that have demonstrably enhanced the Service’s enforcement capabilities.

“As documented in our joint operations report of January 2025, the nexus between unregistered pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, and national security infrastructure continues to present a multidimensional threat matrix to our sovereignty. The empirical evidence drawn from our intelligence analysis indicates that these contraband items serve dual purposes: primarily as revenue generators for transnational criminal organizations, and secondarily as operational enablers for non-state actors engaging in activities prejudicial to national security.

“The seizures presented today must be contextualized within our broader enforcement statistics. During Q1 2025, the Service recorded a total of 22 narcotics interceptions with a cumulative Duty Paid Value of ₦730,748,173, representing a 34.6% increase over the corresponding period in 2024. This data highlights the progressive implementation of our intelligence-led enforcement strategy,” he remarked.

He continued: “Pursuant to the National Strategic Economic Development Plan and the Executive Order on Port Operations, the Service has intensified surveillance across all authorized points of entry, specifically seaports, airports, and approved land borders. This intensification is in direct response to the adaptive methodologies being deployed by transnational criminal networks seeking to compromise our border security architecture and circumvent established import protocols.

“The Service has documented with concern the increasing sophistication of smuggling tactics targeting our maritime domain, particularly the nation’s premier port facility at Apapa. Intelligence reports indicate an increase in attempts to import prohibited and restricted items through container shipping in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

“Of particular concern is the alarming prevalence of unregistered pharmaceutical products entering our supply chain without requisite regulatory approvals and quality assurance certifications. These items constitute a clear and present danger to public health, with potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality if permitted to infiltrate our domestic markets. The Nigeria Customs Service, in exercise of its statutory mandate, has therefore escalated its risk assessment protocols at all points of entry.”

Comptroller Adeniyi commended officers and men of the Apapa Port Command for their vigilance, professionalism, and dedication in successfully executing the interceptions.

He asserted that their actions exemplify the core values of the Service as articulated in the NCS Code of Conduct: integrity, professionalism, and patriotism.

The Customs boss reiterated that the Service will maintain an uncompromising stance on enforcement of import regulations.

“We hereby serve notice to all importers, exporters, agents, and other stakeholders within the international trade environment that our intelligence network, technological capabilities, and inter-agency collaborations have been significantly enhanced to detect and intercept prohibited items regardless of concealment methods or documentation subterfuge,” he remarked.

Adeniyi emphasised that the NCS has documented a concerning trend of increasing sophistication in smuggling techniques, which necessitates corresponding advancement in the Service’s enforcement methodologies.

He assured that Customs will deploy all resources at its disposal to ensure that Nigeria’s borders remain secure against the importation of items prejudicial to national security, economic prosperity, and public health.

The Comptroller sought the continued cooperation of all stakeholders in ensuring compliance with extant import guidelines and urged members of the public to utilise the NCS’s confidential channels for reporting suspicious shipments or import activities.

“Our collective vigilance remains the most effective deterrent against transnational criminal networks attempting to compromise our borders,” he added.