Apapa Customs Hits Smugglers Hard:Intercepts N3.2bn Worth Of Contraband, Makes Major Pharmaceutical, Vehicle Seizures
Apapa Customs Hits Smugglers Hard:Intercepts N3.2bn Worth Of Contraband, Makes Major Pharmaceutical, Vehicle Seizures
………Apapa Port, a no-go area for unlawful activities- Comptroller Olomu
By Frank Odinukaeze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has intercepted six containers laden with contraband items, including unregistered pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, used clothing, and two stolen luxury vehicles, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.25 billion.
The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller BO Olomu PhD, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday, highlighting the command’s unwavering anti-smuggling efforts and commitment to safeguarding national health and security.
Apapa Customs Command CAC, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD
According to Olomu, the latest seizures stemmed from painstaking investigations, intelligence sharing, and collaborations with local and international law enforcement agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Breakdown of Seizures
The seized items were categorized into three major groups:
Category 1 – Codeine-Based Syrups:
Two containers—SUDU 8685733 and MRSU 4846204—were found to conceal 3,388 cartons of codeine syrup, hidden in 202 packages of toilet seats and water closets. These had a street value of N2.71 billion.
Category 2 – Falsely Declared Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics:
Container ONEU 1153150 contained Clobetasol cream and other cosmetics falsely declared as truck tyres, while MRSU 3258823 carried a mix of unregistered pharmaceuticals such as Rabeprazole and Vancomycin, disguised as kitchen wares.
Category 3 – Stolen Vehicles and Used Clothing:
Container MRKU 0904594 harbored two stolen Lexus SUVs—2024 RX 450 and 2023 RX 350—from Canada, fraudulently declared as food items. Another container, SEKU 4716830, was found with 390 bales of used clothing, which violates Nigeria’s import prohibition laws.
“These seizures are a product of both local networking and international collaboration,” Olomu stated. “They reflect our zero-tolerance stance toward smuggling and our resolve to protect Nigerians from harmful and substandard goods.”
In addition to its enforcement duties, the Apapa Command has also surpassed significant revenue milestones.
Comptroller Olomu noted that as of May 21, 2025, the command had generated N1.094 trillion in revenue—exceeding projections even before the close of the fifth month.
Notably, the command recorded groundbreaking daily collections, including N18.2 billion in October 2024, N18.9 billion on March 14, 2025, and a record N18.919 billion on May 20, 2025.
“Our record speaks for itself. We’re not only intercepting illicit trade but also raising unprecedented revenue for national development,” Olomu affirmed.
Olomu noted that the seized medical products contravened both the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV—a global effort to stem the flow of counterfeit and unauthorized medical supplies.
Three suspects connected to the seizures are currently undergoing interrogation and will face legal prosecution.
The Customs boss reiterated a stern warning to would-be smugglers: “Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for unlawful activities. Our officers are vigilant, prepared, and equipped to intercept any concealment attempt.”
The briefing reinforced the Apapa Command’s dual mandate of facilitating legitimate trade and maintaining national security, as it continues to serve as the gateway to Nigeria’s busiest and most strategic port.
