The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of 27 containers of contraband goods between January and June 2025, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦9,267,443,966.00 and the closure of three bonded terminals under the command for various infractions.
The Cusoms Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu disclosed this at the mid year press conference held at the command on 3rd July, 2025. He added that one of the terminals has been charged to court for prosecution while investigation is still ongoing on the remaining two terminals.
According to the CAC, the seized consignments included unregistered pharmaceuticals, second-hand clothing, expired margarine, containers of codeine syrup, and animal skins from protected wildlife species.He noted that the seizures are a fallout of the Command’s unwavering efforts to protect Nigerians from unwholesome foods and drugs, stop illicit trade, and safeguard our local industries.
He also informed that in total, 28 seizures were made during the period under review and the majority involved 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, 2 containers of codeine syrup, 2 containers of suspected stolen vehicles, 4 containers of used clothing, Wild animal skins, in violation of international wildlife trade laws .
He also emphasized that trafficking in wild animal parts contravenes the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory . A container of imported matches found to lack the mandatory End User Certificate (EUC) was detained according to the regulatory requirement for controlled imports.
Olomu reiterated the service commitment to national safety, stating that they will never compromise the health, well-being, and safety of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation and every consignment passing through the port must undergo rigorous checks, including scanning and, when necessary, physical examination.
According to Olomu, the command collected N1,378,059,019,245.20 between January and June 2025, surpassing the N1,023,663,842,255.63 recorded in the same period last year and the N354 billion year-on-year increase.It represents a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2024.He said this was made possible through a combination of strict enforcement, improved compliance by port users, and the efficient deployment of ICT systems.
On trade facilitation, he revealed that the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, which has officially gone live at the Apapa Command, recording a series of landmark achievements is aimed at transforming cargo clearance and port efficiency.
Olomu stated that the new homegrown technology has already begun delivering results. In addition to the successful issuance of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR). The command marked a key milestone on May 9, 2025, with the first-ever Single Goods Declaration (SGD) processed through the B’Odogwu platform.
He noted that a robust platform has been created which facilitates trade and ensures the swift clearance of cargo. The platform addresses challenges such as poor network connectivity, delays, and congestion associated with the former system.
