Apapa Customs Intercepts ₦9.2bn Worth of Unregistered Pharmaceuticals, Codeine, Other Items

Apapa Customs Intercepts ₦9.2bn Worth of Unregistered Pharmaceuticals, Codeine, Other Items

Lagos, July 3, 2025

In a major crackdown on illicit imports, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted unregistered pharmaceuticals and other prohibited items valued at ₦9.2 billion, including large consignments of codeine syrup and controlled substances concealed in containers falsely declared as legal goods.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, made the announcement during a press briefing held at the Apapa Port Command headquarters on Tuesday. He disclosed that the seizures were made between April and June 2025 through a combination of advanced intelligence gathering, non-intrusive inspection technology, and physical examination of suspicious shipments.

According to Comptroller Olomu, the intercepted goods included unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, expired margarine, wild animals’ skin, and codeine syrup worth ₦9,267,443,966.00.

Apapa Customs Intercepts ₦9.2bn Worth of Unregistered Pharmaceuticals, Codeine, Other Items 1

The intercepted items consist of 9 containers, which form part of the 27 containers seized between January and June 2025.

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“These seizures are a clear indication of the level of vigilance we maintain at the nation’s busiest port. The ₦9.2 billion worth of illegal goods intercepted could have caused devastating effects on public health and national security,” he said.

Olomu noted that the codeine-based products, which are banned due to their abuse potential, were falsely declared as electrical appliances in an attempt to deceive Customs officials and evade detection. He emphasized that importers engaging in such criminal activity would face the full weight of the law.

Apapa Customs Intercepts ₦9.2bn Worth of Unregistered Pharmaceuticals,

“Our officers and men are better trained, better equipped, and fully committed to the fight against smuggling and illicit trade. We will not allow Apapa Port to become a gateway for harmful and illegal imports,” he warned.

The Customs boss reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance policy for economic sabotage and praised the collaboration with relevant government agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), NDLEA, and the Nigerian Police, which are assisting in ongoing investigations and potential prosecution of those involved.

Industry stakeholders have applauded the interception, urging tighter regulations and faster judicial processes to deter further criminal attempts. They also stressed the need for a nationwide clampdown on the distribution networks that sell such dangerous drugs on the streets.

With this latest development, the Apapa Command continues to underscore its dual role in revenue generation and national security. Comptroller Olomu confirmed that the command will intensify its enforcement efforts throughout the remainder of the year, with particular focus on imports that threaten public safety.