Nigeria Customs Service Seizes NGN 1.8 Billion Worth of Expired , Controlled Pharmaceuticals ,Others At Apapa Port
Nigeria Customs Service Seizes NGN 1.8 Billion Worth of Expired , Controlled Pharmaceuticals ,Others At Apapa Port
By Frank Odinukaeze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a significant seizure of expired and controlled pharmaceutical products at the Apapa Port Command, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion. This was revealed during a press briefing by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi,who emphasized the NCS’s commitment to safeguarding the health and security of Nigerians.
The Comptroller-General highlighted the importance of due diligence in cargo examination, noting that the recent seizures underscore the NCS’s resolve to prevent the importation of harmful goods. “We will never sacrifice the health and security of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation,” he stated.
The seized items included expired drugs and controlled substances such as tramadol, which were imported without the necessary regulatory approvals from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The Comptroller-General detailed that 12 containers were seized, including a 40ft container declared to contain various pharmaceutical products but found to be laden with expired health supplements and medications.
Among the seized items were:
Daily health immune supplements expired in July 2024
Acyclovir capsules expired in April 2024
Valsartan tablets expired in June 2024
Prednisone tablets expired in June 2024
Losartan potassium tablets expired in June 2024
Major aspirin low-dose pain reliever expired in June 2024
Vitamin D supplements expired in June 2024
Magnesium oxide tablets expired in June 2024
Diclofenac sodium topical gel expiring in November 2024
Oral rehydration solution mix expired in July 2024
Unimap multiple micronutrient supplements expiring in December 2025
Additionally, several containers were found to contain tramadol concealed with expired pharmaceutical products, all lacking the required NAFDAC registration numbers. These actions are in violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.
The Comptroller-General reiterated the NCS’s dedication to facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring thorough checks on all import and export consignments. He praised the officers for their vigilance and commitment to executing the NCS mandate.
This seizure is a testament to the NCS’s ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and protect the well-being of Nigerians. The agency remains steadfast in its mission to prevent the entry of harmful goods into the country.
The CGC noted that,”In addition to the pharmaceutical products, there were two 40ft containers (Nos. CAUU 5699055 and SUAN 8691124) with 15,540 and 12,000 pieces of cutlasses and machetes, respectively. A total of 27,540 pieces of cutlasses and machetes were contained in the two containers” f
He commended the Apapa Customs Area Controller Babatunde Olomu and the officers of the command their steadfastness and dedication to duty , particularly with regard their anti- smuggling stance
“I want to specially commend Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, and the officers working with him for this anti-smuggling exploit”
“The Apapa Command handles the highest volume of trade for the NCS, collects the highest revenue, and is therefore saddled with a higher degree of expectation from the management of the Service and the government.
” I urge them to maintain this level of performance.the CGC said.
He advised port users to embrace only legitimate trade and restated that “the NCS, under my leadership, is fully committed to its responsibilities in detecting all forms of concealment”
