Apapa Customs Hands Over Seized Expired Pharmaceuticals to NAFDAC, NDLEA, Records N264b Revenue
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has formally transferred six containers of expired and unapproved pharmaceuticals to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
These intercepted consignments, seized at Apapa Port, comprise unapproved doses of tramadol, codeine cough syrups, injections, and other restricted substances, all deemed harmful and a potential threat to public health.
At a press briefing on Monday, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, emphasised the Command’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from hazardous imports.
“As a service, we owe Nigerians the duty of preventing the import and export of cargo that could undermine their well-being and security,” Olomu stated.
Highlighting the importance of cooperative efforts in enforcing health and safety standards, Olomu remarked, “Today’s handover underscores the robust inter-agency collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and sister government agencies at the port.
“It further demonstrates our ability to prevent illicit importation from entering the Nigerian market through the port.”
The seized pharmaceuticals, which violate provisions of Nigeria’s Common External Tariff (CET) and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, are part of the Apapa Command’s broader strategy against smuggling.
Since January 2024, the Command has executed more than 36 seizures, including banned items such as frozen poultry, used clothing, and unregistered drugs, with an estimated combined value exceeding N1.5 billion.
Olomu noted that these seizures serve as both a deterrent to illegal activities and an encouragement for lawful trade.
“These seizures should serve as a deterrent to those involved in any form of illegality and an encouragement for lawful and compliant traders,” he asserted.
The Apapa Command has also recorded historic achievements in revenue collection, with N1.87 trillion generated from January to October 2024, reflecting an impressive 101% increase over the same period in 2023, despite a slowdown in trade volume.
October 2024 alone saw a record-breaking collection of N264.5 billion, the highest monthly revenue in Apapa’s history. The Command is now on course to exceed its N2.2 trillion revenue target by year-end.
“Despite a significant decline in the volume of trade, this Command has been able to block leakages and achieved maximum collection of revenue,” Olomu noted.
In a bid to facilitate trade, Olomu reiterated the NCS’s commitment to streamlining processes for port users, including the transition to modern, paperless systems.
“We are driving a modern and paperless system, and here in Apapa, we are gearing up to migrate from the old system to a new system while maximising the benefits of what we have presently,” he explained.
As part of these enhancements, the Command now operates on weekends to expedite cargo clearance.
In a recent milestone, the Apapa Command facilitated Nigeria’s first cargo shipment to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, marking a significant advancement in Nigeria’s regional trade relations.
Olomu expressed gratitude for the ongoing support of government and private sector partners, adding, “I want to specially thank all sister government agencies and our strategic private sector partners for being part of the success we are celebrating today. Their contributions have been invaluable, and the impacts are evident in our scorecard.”
Reaffirming the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on unethical trading practices, he pledged that every consignment would undergo thorough examination, using both scanners and physical inspection where necessary.
“We shall continue to detect false declarations, concealment, undervaluation, and other unethical practices aimed at evading duties, shortchanging the government, and exposing citizens to unsafe products,” Olomu concluded.
Through enhanced vigilance, inter-agency collaboration, and dedicated trade facilitation measures, the Apapa Command continues to set a high standard for customs operations and revenue generation, while prioritising the safety and well-being of Nigerians.
