The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service under the control of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, has said that the Command will not sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation.
The Customs Area Comptroller made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on the recent seizures, which he attributed to the fallouts of uncompromising anti-smuggling activities and the various successes recorded in the Command recently.
Speaking further, CAC Olomu said: “On my watch and with the inspiring guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was in the Command two weeks ago to showcase 12 containers of seized pharmaceuticals.
“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).
“The seizures can be broken down into three categories: category 1 –
Container No. SUDU 8685733 (40Ft) was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet.
“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 N2,710,400,000.00 (Two billion,seven hundred and ten million, four hundred thousand naira only).
“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).
“Category 2: Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 Ft) found to contain 1,584
packages of Globatin anti-marks &30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as Truck Tyres.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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 I mentioned earlier on. In addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, these imported containers with prohibited medical items also violate the World Customs Organisations 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.
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 #1,094 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 #18.2 billion; in March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of #18.9 billion and on 20th May, 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of #18.919 billion. All these were groundbreaking daily collections.
“Finally, let me use this briefing to warn that Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity and our officers are very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrest where necessary,” Comptr. Olomu assured.
