Apapa Customs Seizes 13 Containers Of Contraband, Expired Pharmaceuticals, Other Illicit Drugs Worth N 6.4 Billion, As CGC Commissions Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Analytics Centre
Apapa Customs Seizes 13 Containers Of Contraband, Expired Pharmaceuticals, Other Illicit Drugs Worth N 6.4 Billion, As CGC Commissions Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Analytics Centre
By Jerry Aguigbo
The Nigerian Customs Service has through conscious efforts to grow the Nigerian economy by promoting legitimate trade ensured that compliant traders are given the necessary support needed to enhance their trade. However, the NCS has also demonstrated the willingness to bite when necessary by making sure unwholesome imports are curtailed from entering the Nigerian ports via its intelligence driven Ant – Smuggling and enforcement activities. The Apapa Customs Command has hence demonstrated why it’s highly rated with the seizure of 13 Containers of contrabands, containing expired Pharmaceuticals, other Illicit Drugs Worth N6,381,988.00.
Showcasing the seizures today at the PMT Container Terminal, Apapa Customs Command, the Customs Comptroller – General, Badir Adewale Adeniyi who briefed Journalists stated that the service is doing all within its powers to ensure that criminal elements do not exploit the gaps by dumping contrabands and other types of dangerous imports on Nigerians through the ports.
“As the volume of trade passing through Nigerian ports continues to grow, the responsibility placed on the Nigeria Customs Service becomes even greater. Thousands of containers pass through this port every day carrying goods that support businesses, sustain industries and drive our national economy. While our mandate requires us to facilitate legitimate trade, we must also ensure that our ports are not exploited by criminal networks attempting to introduce dangerous, prohibited or falsely declared goods into the country.”
According to the CGC, “Over the past year, the Service has intensified the deployment of technology-driven enforcement tools, particularly Non-Intrusive Inspection systems (scanning), to strengthen cargo examination procedures and improve efficiency at our ports. These systems enable officers to examine containerized cargo rapidly, detect anomalies in declarations and identify suspicious consignments without unnecessarily disrupting legitimate trade flows. Current operational data from Apapa Port shows that 3,236 consignments were processed through the Orange channel (Non-Intrusive Inspection – scanning), 5,490 through the Yellow channel (documentary checks), while a significantly higher 21,373 consignments were subjected to full physical examination under the Red channel. Additionally, 1,118 consignments passed through the Blue channel and 149 through the Green channel, reflecting varying levels of facilitation based on compliance and risk profiling.”
“This distribution clearly indicates that physical examination still dominates cargo control procedures, reinforcing the need to expand the use of scanning technology. Strengthening non-intrusive inspection and combining it with intelligence-driven risk management, will enable the Service concentrate physical examinations on high-risk shipments and facilitate faster clearance for compliant traders. Our strategic objective is therefore to significantly increase the proportion of cargo subjected to scanning across all major entry points in Nigeria before the end of the year, including Apapa, Tin Can Island, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar and other operational commands. This shift will enhance enforcement accuracy, reduce port congestion and support our broader goal of facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining robust border control.”
He emphasized that achieving this target will depend largely on the level of compliance demonstrated by traders and other stakeholders within the port ecosystem. As compliance improves, Customs will be able to rely more on technology-driven inspection and risk management rather than time-consuming physical examination. This is why Customs strongly encourage traders to continue improving their compliance culture and take advantage of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which provides trusted traders with predictable clearance processes and faster cargo facilitation.
Adeniyi stated that the seizures the Customs is presenting today are a direct outcome of this shift toward intelligence-driven enforcement supported by scanning technology and targeted physical examination. Through careful risk profiling and non intrusive inspection procedures, officers of the Service identified several containers with irregular cargo profiles that warranted further examination. These involve thirteen (13) containers and additional contraband items intercepted through coordinated enforcement operations.
Following detailed scanning analysis and physical examination, officers uncovered the following consignments:
a. A 40-foot container (HASU 4072659) conveying large quantities of expired pharmaceutical products including Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, Chloroquine injections and Diclofenac tablets.
b. Two 40-foot containers (MRSU 4584911 and MRSU 6913370) conveying large consignments of Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate unregistered pharmaceuticals.
c. A 20-foot container (MRKU 8830266) conveying 800 cartons of Codeine (TPL CSC) deliberately concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware.
d. A 40-foot container (MRSU 5147562) conveying cartons of Artesunate 60 injections.
e. A 20-foot container (PCIU 286888) conveying restricted security equipment without End User Certificates, including bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches.
Additional seizures include:
a. A 20-foot container (TCLU 3819607) conveying expired muffin cookie biscuits.
b. A 20-foot container (UGMU 8692902) containing 36,000 cans of expired Primo energy drinks.
c. A 20-foot container (SUDU 1696593) loaded with expired St. Kelvin tomato paste.
d. Another 20-foot container (TCLU 1923314) containing expired De Truth tomato paste.
e. A 40-foot container (TCNU 7257465) containing 1,700 cartons of Codeine cough syrup concealed with luxury food flasks.
Another 40-foot container (CAAU 8375050) was found to contain 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine concealed with 156 cartons of electric kettles, alongside additional pharmaceutical seizures including 13 cartons of Bristol brand Co-codamol 500mg and 2 cartons of Zevita brand Co-codamol
500mg. Officers also intercepted 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa
(Colorado) weighing 347.57kg concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle with Chassis No. 5TDDK3DC7DS057669.
Collectively, these seizures amount to ₦6,381,237,988.00 (Six Billion,
Three Hundred and Eighty-One Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Eight Naira) worth of prohibited, expired and falsely declared goods.
The CGC stated that the importation of expired drugs and controlled substances pose a direct threat to public health, while the concealment of codeine-based products represents a calculated attempt to fuel substance abuse and undermine our healthcare system.
“Let me therefore state clearly that Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation. In accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, these consignments are liable to outright forfeiture, while penalties will be imposed, evaded revenues recovered and all persons connected to these shipments will face prosecution.
To compliant traders and investors, let me reiterate that our enforcement is not against legitimate trade; it is against criminality. Those who comply with the law will continue to enjoy facilitation and predictability.
Let today’s operation send an unmistakable signal: the gaps smugglers once exploited in our ports are closing fast. Through technology, intelligence, and vigilant officers, the Nigeria Customs Service will intercept, expose, and prosecute anyone who attempts to undermine our trade system or threaten the safety of our citizens.”
At the Commissioning of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Analytics Centre which flagged off a new era of intelligence-driven customs operations and improved welfare for officers according to the Area Controller, Emmanuel Oshoba.
The Comptroller while welcoming the CGC said, “the magnificent two-storey building proudly named the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Analytical Arena, has been designed with a futuristic, data-driven approach to border security. It is designed to house critical, tactical and operational components of our Command, including:
• The State-of-the-art Analytics Centre of excellence
• The Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU).
• The Command’s Clinic, to ensure the health and well-being of our personnel.
• Other key strategic offices.
This infrastructure, he stated, is a direct reflection of the vision of the Comptroller-General to leverage modern technology and analytics to fight smuggling, secure our nation and facilitate legitimate trade.
“This project is a tangible success story of the Customs-PACT (Partnership for Cooperation in Trade) as championed by our CGC. I must express our profound appreciation to our stakeholders and partners. Your collaboration has been instrumental in turning this vision into reality. Your willingness to partner with us demonstrates a shared commitment to building a stronger, safer and more prosperous Nigeria. Without your support, this rapid transformation would not have been possible.”
He appreciated the CGC for his purpose-driven leadership, unwavering support and for prioritizing the welfare as well as operational efficiency of officers at the Command level.
” Naming this building after you is a testament to your dedication to duty and the inspiration you provide to all of us,” he said.
The CGC while Commissioning the Centre said that the Apapa Customs Command is a special Command blazing the trail in trade facilitation, Revenue generation, trade volume and enforcement activities. He thanked the leadership of the Command for thinking it worthwhile to name the facility after him. He stated that the facility comes handy as the NCS strengthens enforcement activities against high – risk consignments.
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