Apapa Customs Vows to Outwit Smugglers as NAFDAC Commends Life-Saving Seizures
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has pledged to remain one step ahead of smugglers through the deployment of intelligence and uncompromising enforcement to safeguard the nation against harmful imports.
Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, made the assurance on Monday when he received Dr. Martin Iluyomade, fsi, Director of Inspection and Enforcement Directorate at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who also chairs the Federal Task Force on Fake, Substandard Drugs and Unwholesome Food.
Olomu disclosed that recent attempts by smugglers to deploy fake registration numbers and false declarations have been consistently foiled, stressing that the Command is fully committed to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Director-General of NAFDAC to block the inflow of prohibited goods, especially counterfeit pharmaceuticals and unwholesome food.
He urged NAFDAC to hasten the evacuation of containers handed over to the agency to avoid congestion at the port, while assuring that suspects arrested in connection with seizures will continue to be prosecuted.
“Arresting the individuals behind these acts is critical to breaking the human influence in the smuggling chain and deterring others. Our officers under my watch have embraced zero tolerance for smuggling. We will ensure that our laws are not circumvented to the detriment of Nigerians, whether by dangerous drugs, harmful food, or illegal arms and ammunition,” Olomu stated.
Highlighting a recent case, the Customs chief recalled the seizure of 32 containers of contraband, which the Comptroller-General of Customs personally handed over to NAFDAC, describing it as evidence of the strong partnership between both agencies.
In his response, Dr. Iluyomade praised Comptroller Olomu for his uncompromising stand and for what he described as “life-saving seizures.” He said: “You can kill one or two persons with guns, but you can kill a whole nation with fake drugs, unwholesome food, and harmful medicine. It is like those importing these products are declaring war on the citizens of this country.”
Iluyomade, who lauded Olomu as the best Controller Apapa Command has ever had, recalled his early years as a NAFDAC employee and attested to the tremendous improvements in Customs’ anti-smuggling efforts.
He further noted that the awards bestowed on the Apapa Command under Olomu’s leadership were truly deserved, while urging support to safeguard containers pending NAFDAC evacuation.
The visit, officials noted, further consolidates the synergy between the NCS and NAFDAC in their joint resolve to protect Nigerians from hazardous imports and dismantle smuggling networks.
