By Wale Adebisi and Aisha Cole
The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, has handed over intercepted narcotics, controlled pharmaceuticals, drones and expired goods valued at N43.5 billion intercepted at the Apapa Port in Lagos to relevant government agencies.
Adeniyi handed over the narcotics to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while the illicit and expired drugs were handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday.
The CGC said the seizures demonstrated the importance of Customs beyond revenue collection, stressing that the service was also responsible for supply chain security, border protection and ensuring the safety of imports.
He said criminals were increasingly concealing narcotics, restricted equipment and expired goods in legitimate consignments through false declarations, the use of agents and syndicates operating at ports.
According to him, concealment methods include hiding narcotics inside vehicles, drugs beneath household goods and restricted equipment declared as ordinary electronics to evade detection.
The CGC said the service had, over the past three years, strengthened its cargo-targeting capacity through profiling, risk assessment and the use of the Producer platform, which integrates trade data across Customs commands nationwide.
He also said that in July 2026, Customs established an INTERPOL Data Centre in Abuja, giving Nigeria access to more than 152 international security databases.
Adeniyi said strengthened collaboration with the NDLEA through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and international partners had enhanced intelligence-led operations.
He said Customs intercepted 11 containers containing three broad categories of prohibited and restricted items.
The first category comprised 15,245 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 7,624kg in three containers, as well as 169,998 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in household items.
The second category involved 100 high-definition dual-camera drones imported without the required approvals.
Adeniyi warned that the drones and other security-sensitive equipment could be used for unauthorised surveillance and criminal activities.
The third category comprised expired tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquids, disposable nappies and vaginal tablets, which he said posed serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers.
The CGC also listed 1,282 bales of used clothing, 148 bags of foreign parboiled rice, lithium batteries and food items concealed alongside the illicit consignments.
He said drones and other security-sensitive equipment required end-user certificates and relevant security approvals.
Adeniyi warned that unauthorised imports would be detained and handed over to the appropriate government agencies.
He commended officers of the Apapa Command, the NDLEA and other local and international partners for their cooperation in combating illicit trade.
The CGC urged the media to continue exposing individuals and networks undermining legitimate commerce and national security.
He also advised importers to take advantage of the Advanced Ruling and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes to ensure compliance with import regulations.
Adeniyi stressed that Nigerian ports would not be allowed to become safe corridors for prohibited and illicit goods.
Earlier, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the presence of the CGC and other stakeholders demonstrated the importance attached to leadership, collaboration and public accountability.
Oshoba said the participation of sister agencies also underscored the sustained inter-agency cooperation needed to strengthen national security, public safety and economic prosperity.
He assured that the Apapa Command remained committed to the CGC’s policy direction and would uphold professionalism, discipline, integrity and diligence in facilitating legitimate trade and protecting the national interest.
He said joint operations and collaboration with sister agencies had continued to help the command effectively tackle criminal networks and perform its duties.
(NAN)
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