The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) said it intercepted fake, expired, and unregistered pharmaceuticals alongside controlled equipment such as drones and telecommunication devices, all valued at N921m.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, during a press briefing at the Apapa Port, Lagos state, warned importers to comply strictly with existing regulations.
“Our seizures today reveal that importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios, combining pharmaceuticals, food items, and controlled technology in systematic shipments.
“Our collective vigilance remains the most effective deterrent against transnational criminal networks seeking to compromise our borders,” he stated on Wednesday.
He said the operation between January and April 2025, by customs officers, resulted in 11 major seizures.
These seizures identified were five 40-foot containers, two 20-foot containers, and four other consignments.
The intercepted goods consisted of “expired margarine, sexual enhancement drugs, 60 units of warrior drones, and 10 professional FM transceiver walkie-talkies, all imported without the necessary end-user certificates”.
Adeniyi expressed grave concern over the increasing influx of unregistered pharmaceuticals, citing the severe risk they pose to public health.
He said, “These products lack mandatory NAFDAC registration numbers and certification, making their importation a clear violation of Section 28 of the NAFDAC Act.”
He pledged that the service would deploy all available resources to enforce and protect national security, economic stability, and the health of citizens.
The Director of Ports Inspection at NAFDAC, Dr Olakunle Olaniran, also decried the scale of pharmaceutical fraud uncovered in the seizures.
“These are completely falsified medicines. Nigerians must be wary; do not self-medicate.
“Always obtain your medicines from registered pharmacies,” he advised.
Olaniran commended the service for its proactive role in safeguarding the country from dangerous and counterfeit pharmaceutical imports.
Earlier that day, the Adeniyi visited the Port & Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) and Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) Area Commands.
At TCIP, he assessed the ongoing implementation of the B’Odogwu digital platform and interacted with stakeholders undergoing training on the system.
He explained that the visit aimed to provide firsthand insight into challenges encountered during implementation and to reaffirm the service’s commitment to resolving emerging issues to ensure the platform’s success.
