Apapa Customs seizes N3.2bn worth of prohibited items, intercepts stolen vehicles and fake pharmaceuticals

Apapa Customs seizes N3.2bn worth of prohibited items, intercepts stolen vehicles and fake pharmaceuticals

Apapa, Lagos – May 22, 2025

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has announced the seizure of prohibited goods valued at over N3.2 billion in a major crackdown on smuggling and illegal importation at the nation’s premier port.

Comptroller BO Olomu, Customs Area Controller, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Lagos. He revealed that the seizures were a result of intensified anti-smuggling efforts and inter-agency collaborations, particularly with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Olomu emphasized that under his leadership, the command remains committed to upholding compliance over trade facilitation when the two come into conflict. He credited the support and leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for the command’s recent successes.

According to him, six containers laden with contraband were recently intercepted, following the earlier showcase of 12 seized containers of pharmaceuticals just two weeks ago by the CGC. The latest seizures comprise unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, cosmetics, and two smuggled vehicles, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3,247,427,969.00.

BREAKDOWN OF SEIZURES:

Category 1: Codeine Syrup Concealed in Sanitary Ware

• Container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT): Contained 1,698 cartons of RTPL CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine concealed in water closet packages.
• Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT): Carried 1,690 cartons of Codeine syrup concealed in toilet seats.

Street value of these two seizures is estimated at N2.71 billion. Comptroller Olomu noted these seizures were made possible through international intelligence and collaboration with the NDLEA.

Category 2: Falsely Declared Pharmaceuticals

• Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40FT): Contained 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks and Clobetasol cream falsely declared as truck tyres.
• Container No. MRSU 3258823 (40FT): Held various unregistered pharmaceutical products including Rabeprazole for injection, Zahifranil tablets, and Ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.

Category 3: Smuggled Vehicles and Used Clothing

• Container No. MRKU 0904594 (40FT): Contained two stolen vehicles from Canada – a 2024 Lexus RX 450 and a 2023 Lexus RX 350, falsely declared as food items.
• Container No. SEKU 4716830 (40FT): Contained 390 bales of used clothing, contravening Nigeria’s import prohibition laws.

Olomu stated that the importation of these items violates both the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and international protocols including the World Customs Organization’s Operation STOP IV, which targets counterfeit and unauthorized medical supplies globally.

Three suspects linked to these illegal shipments have been arrested and are currently under interrogation.

RECORD-BREAKING REVENUE COLLECTION

In addition to the seizures, the Apapa Command has recorded exceptional revenue collection milestones. As of May 21, 2025, the command had already surpassed the N1 trillion mark, generating a total of N1.094 trillion in revenue – a feat achieved within just five months.

Olomu highlighted record daily collections including:

• N18.2 billion in October 2024
• N18.9 billion on March 14, 2025
• N18.919 billion on May 20, 2025

He reiterated the commitment of the Apapa Command to upholding national security, facilitating lawful trade, and maintaining its status as a strategic revenue-generating hub for the country.

“We are determined to prevent Nigeria from becoming a dumping ground for harmful imports. Apapa Port remains a no-go area for unlawful activity. Our officers are alert and ready to act against concealments, effect seizures, and make arrests where necessary,” Olomu declared.