Customs Hands Over ₦10.2bn Worth of Arms, Ammunition, Other Intercepted Items to NCCSALW, NDLEA, NAFDAC
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has transferred intercepted items, including arms and ammunition, expired drugs and food items, as well as unregistered pharmaceuticals to relevant agencies.
The agencies include the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
This comes following the seizure of 16 containers carrying prohibited substances at the Apapa Port, valued at ₦10,273,694,595.
While handing over the items to the respective agencies at a press briefing in Apapa, the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the Service’s zero tolerance for illegal and substandard imports.
The event was attended by representatives of NCCSALW, NDLEA, and NAFDAC.
CGC Adeniyi attributed the seizures to sustained intelligence-driven operations to protect the country from harmful imports and enforce existing trade laws.
“Today, we have seizures of 16 containers laden with prohibited drugs, expired medication, expired food, and other items that run foul of our import prohibition guidelines, including arms and ammunition. These smuggled items have a harmful effect on the health and well-being of unsuspecting Nigerians who would have consumed them, in addition to causing insecurity in the country,” he said.
Adeniyi disclosed that one intercepted container, which initially passed inspection, was later found after a second search prompted by intelligence to contain 202 cans of Colorado Loud (a Canadian hard drug), weighing 101kg.
The Customs boss noted that further scanning revealed concealed arms and ammunition, including two pump-action rifles, 25 ammunition cartridges, one pistol with 55 rounds, and related accessories.
He also revealed that the consignment was linked to a Lagos resident, Babatunde Ogidiolu.
Adeniyi highlighted other seizures, including seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine and three containers of prohibited used clothing.
He emphasised that the NCS would continue to work closely with sister agencies to ensure that harmful, substandard, and counterfeit products do not reach Nigerian markets.
“Our vow to protect the national economy and the well-being of citizens and residents of Nigeria remains unshaken,” he assured, warning that the NCS, with the support of strategic partners, will maintain uncompromising enforcement backed by intelligence to detect and seize prohibited items.
Representatives of the sister agencies commended the Service for its vigilance.
In his remarks, the Director of the South-West Zone for NCCSALW, CP Alamutu Abiodun (Rtd), noted that the seizure of arms and ammunition significantly aids in curbing the proliferation of small arms in the country.
“I wish Nigeria Customs more success because their breakthroughs assist us. They have helped solve half of the problem we collectively face,” CP Abiodun remarked.
