The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Port Command has generated a significant revenue of N1,094 trillion as at 21 May 2025 and has also impounded six containers laden with prohibited items and unregistered pharmaceuticals.
The Apapa Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu disclosed this during a press briefing on 22nd May, 2025 in Apapa Lagos.
Addressing the press on the seizures, Comptroller Olomu, said that other items in the seized containers are cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country from Canada and these seizures have Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.24 billion (Three billion, Two hundred and forty-seven million, Four hundred and twenty-seven thousand Nine hundred and sixty-nine naira) broken down into three categories.
Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT) was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat. The two seizures have a street value of N2,710,400.00 (Two billion, seven hundred and ten million, four hundred thousand naira only).
On category one; container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT) was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in packages of water closet.
He disclosed that the two containers were intercepted through international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
On category two; Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 FT) was found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks and 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as Truck Tyres.
On category 3 Container No. MRKU 0904594 (40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada. A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items.
While container No. SEKU 4716830 (40 FT) was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing which contravenes the import prohibition law.
Container No. MRSU 3258823 (40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole, for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
Olomu emphasized that while the Command plays a vital role in facilitating trade and generating revenue for the government, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) also has a crucial responsibility to protect the Nigerian public from harmful and dangerous imports that could jeopardize their health and wellbeing.
According to to Olomu, the seized consignments not only contravene the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023 but also violate the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV, a global initiative aimed at combating the trafficking of counterfeit, substandard, and unauthorized medical supplies.
While commending the Command’s success to the visionary leadership and unwavering support of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, he also revealed that in connection with the seizures, three suspects have been apprehended and are currently undergoing interrogation. The individuals will be prosecuted in accordance with the law, as investigations progress.
“Let me use this briefing to intimate you that having crossed the one trillion-naira collection before the end of the fifth month, we have so far generated a total of N1,094 trillion as at 21 May 2025.
This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we’ve done before, we are ready to do better this year.
Our chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for us and attests to our capacity to do more. For instance, in October 2024, we collected N18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of N18.9 billion and on 20 May, 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of N18.919 billion All these were groundbreaking daily collections.
“ In addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, these imported containers with prohibited medical items also violate the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV – which is a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorized medical supplies. So far, three suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.
“Consequently, as a result of our painstaking efforts, we recently uncovered 6 more containers laden with prohibited items mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals. Other items in the seized containers are cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country. These seizures are worth a total DPV: N3,247,427,969.00 (Three billion, Two hundred and forty-seven million, Four hundred and twenty-seven thousand Nine hundred and sixty-nine naira)
“Interestingly, these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“As officers at the nation’s largest, busiest and premier port, we are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchant of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances like the ones I shall be showing you today. We also intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that was attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria like 1 mentioned earlier on.
“Therefore, while we facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, the NCS owe the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing.”
