NCS Seizes 16 Containers Laden with Arms, Ammunition, Drugs, Expired Foods at Apapa Port

NCS Seizes 16 Containers Laden with Arms, Ammunition, Drugs, Expired Foods at Apapa Port

… Duty Paid Value Hits ₦10.27 Billion; Four Suspects Arrested

Apapa, Lagos – Monday, August 11, 2025

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, on Monday announced the seizure of 16 containers containing arms, ammunition, expired medicaments, prohibited pharmaceuticals, frozen poultry products, and other contraband goods at the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The intercepted consignments, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦10,273,694,595, were confiscated through coordinated intelligence and joint enforcement operations involving sister agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Persistent Anti-Smuggling Drive

Speaking at the official handover of the seized items to relevant agencies, CGC Adeniyi recalled that barely three weeks ago, the Service had handed over seized pharmaceuticals to NAFDAC in Apapa, with a similar operation executed in Onne last week.

“These preventive anti-smuggling activities are part of our core mandate,” Adeniyi said. “They strengthen inter-agency relationships, uphold our signed MoUs with NAFDAC, and maintain robust synergy with the NDLEA.”

Details of the Seized Containers

The seizures, according to Adeniyi, include:

• Arms and Ammunition:
  On July 24, 2025, during a joint physical examination with the NDLEA, a 40ft container (MRSU 6407089) declared to contain vehicles was discovered to hold 202 cans of Colorado Loud cannabis (101kg) imported from Canada, two pump-action rifles, 25 cartridges, one Smith & Wesson pistol, 55 rounds of ammunition, and other firearm accessories.

• Expired Foods and Drugs:

  • Three containers of expired margarine
  • Three containers of used clothing
  • Five containers with expired drugs, prohibited medicaments, and Colorado hemp
  • 1,100 cartons of expired chest and lungs tablets without NAFDAC number
  • 540 cartons of expired feed and cyproheptadine tablets

• Frozen Poultry Products:

  • Container OERU 4243517 (40ft) and FBIU 5507953 (40ft) with 1,290 sacks each of frozen chicken breast.
  • Another 40ft container with 1,290 sacks of frozen chicken breast.

• Codeine Syrup & Miscellaneous Contraband:

• 2,401 cartons of codeine syrup in two containers intercepted earlier on Monday.
• Cartons of slippers concealed in cartons of beads, toothpaste without NAFDAC numbers, and 40 cartons of Jalabiya.

False Declaration and Arrests

The CGC disclosed that the system bill of lading for the arms and cannabis container falsely listed the items as “three Toyota Sienna vehicles and one Toyota Camry,” with the consignee named as Babatunde Ogidiolu Samuel.

Two suspects, Mr. Modi Azuka of No. 1 Miracle Street, Ago Palace Way, and Mrs. Lisa Akpedeme, were arrested in connection with the arms and cannabis shipment. They are currently being interrogated.

Two additional suspects were apprehended over the smuggling of frozen poultry products. The NCS stated that the arms, ammunition, and drugs suspects would be handed over to the NDLEA and DSS, while those linked to poultry smuggling would be transferred to NAFDAC for prosecution.

‘Merchants of Death’ Will Be Defeated

Adeniyi condemned the perpetrators, describing them as “merchants of death” who persist in using Apapa Port as an entry point for prohibited items despite repeated enforcement actions.

“Our vow to protect the national economy, the well-being of citizens, and residents of Nigeria remains unshaken,” he declared. “The Nigeria Customs Service, with the support of our strategic partners, will continue delivering uncompromising enforcement backed by intelligence to detect and seize prohibited items.”

He warned that criminal elements determined to make Nigeria a hub for destructive substances “will always have our operatives to contend with,” pledging a “full-scale resistance” until such illicit traders are driven “out of business and into jail.”

Strengthening Border Security

The CGC emphasized that the seizures underscore the Service’s commitment to breaking the supply chain of illicit and harmful imports before they penetrate the nation’s commercial ecosystem via seaports, airports, and land borders.

“This is about the safety, health, and security of Nigerians,” Adeniyi said. “We will not relent.