The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized contraband objects valued at over N921 billion in simply 4 months, in response to an announcement by Comptroller-Basic Bashir Adeniyi on Wednesday.
Talking on the Apapa Command in Lagos, Adeniyi disclosed that between January and April 2025, Customs operatives executed 11 interdiction operations that resulted within the confiscation of varied banned objects, together with expired meals merchandise, unregistered prescription drugs, and restricted safety tools.
Among the many seized items have been 5 40-foot containers, two 20-foot containers, and 4 shipments of loosely hid contraband. Essentially the most alarming finds included massive volumes of unregistered sexual enhancement medicine, expired margarine, and high-grade surveillance drones missing authorities clearance.
“This stage of interdiction displays not solely our enhanced operational capability however the rising sophistication of smuggling syndicates concentrating on Nigeria,” Adeniyi stated, including that the seizures characterize a 34.6% enhance in duty-paid worth over the identical interval final yr.
Customs additionally intercepted 1,001 cartons of hydra-sildenafil citrate tablets, 89 cartons of pharmaceutical merchandise in container CAAU6514500, and an extra 1,400 unregistered drug packages hidden in one other container. Officers revealed that among the containers have been falsely declared as holding beauty merchandise or normal merchandise to evade detection.
Safety-related seizures included 60 fight drones and 53 helicopter drones present in separate containers, together with superior communication tools comparable to FM transceivers. This stuff, officers stated, have been introduced in with out the required end-user certification from the Workplace of the National Security Adviser a authorized requirement for importing delicate safety instruments.
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Adeniyi warned that the surge in unregulated pharmaceutical imports, particularly sexual enhancement medicine, poses vital public well being dangers.
“Indiscriminate use of such substances with out medical supervision can lead to extreme well being problems, together with cardiovascular points,” he stated.
He outlined 5 rising traits fueling the illicit commerce: the proliferation of sexual enhancement medicine; widespread mislabeling of imports; the bundling of prescription drugs with different banned objects; exploitation of weaker export laws in overseas international locations; and the growing influx of security-grade expertise with out authorities oversight.
Alongside enforcement, Adeniyi highlighted the continuing rollout of the Customs Unified Administration Info System (B’Odogwu), now in pilot at PTML and Tin Can Island Port.
He acknowledged preliminary implementation challenges however affirmed the company’s dedication to enhancing digital customs processes by means of ongoing stakeholder engagement.
The Comptroller-Basic additionally praised the Apapa Command for its vigilance and underscored the Customs Service’s intelligence-led technique and collaboration with businesses comparable to NAFDAC, NDLEA, and the National Security Adviser’s workplace.
As a precaution, the seized containers carrying hazardous substances have been declared restricted areas. Adeniyi urged the general public to report suspicious actions by way of confidential channels and reaffirmed the company’s resolve to safe Nigeria’s borders from transnational smuggling threats.
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