Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Generates Over N1.87 Trillion, Hands Containers of Expired Pharmaceuticals to NAFDAC, NDLEA

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded impressive revenue collection figures for 2024, generating N1.87 trillion from January to October. while handing over six containers of expired and unapproved pharmaceuticals to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

These items, intercepted at Apapa Port, include unapproved doses of tramadol, codeine cough syrups, injections, and other controlled substances.

According to Customs officials, the products were deemed harmful and could endanger public health if circulated.

At a press briefing in Apapa on Monday, Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu underscored the Command’s dedication to safeguarding Nigerians from potentially hazardous imports.

“As a service, we owe Nigerians the duty of preventing the import and export of cargo that could undermine their well-being and security,” Olomu stated.

 

He further elaborated on the importance of collaboration in enforcing safety standards, emphasizing, that “Today’s handover underscores the robust inter-agency collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and sister government agencies in the port. It further demonstrates our ability to prevent illicit importation from entering the Nigerian market through the port.”

Olomu said that the seized pharmaceuticals, violating provisions of Nigeria’s Common External Tariff (CET) and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, are part of Apapa Command’s broader efforts to combat smuggling.

He said that since January 2024, the Command has executed more than 36 seizures, including frozen poultry, used clothing, and unregistered pharmaceutical products, with an estimated combined value exceeding N1.5 billion.

Olomu highlighted that these seizures serve as a warning: “These seizures should serve as a deterrent to those involved in any form of illegality and an encouragement for lawful and compliant traders.”

The Command also recorded impressive revenue collection figures for 2024, generating N1.87 trillion from January to October. This reflects a remarkable 101% increase over the same period in 2023, despite a downturn in trade volume.

“Despite a remarkable decline in the volume of trade, this Command has been able to block leakages and achieved maximum collection of revenue,” Olomu stated.

He shared that October 2024’s collection alone reached N264.5 billion, the highest monthly figure in Apapa’s history. The Command now anticipates surpassing its N2.2 trillion revenue target by year-end.

Discussing trade facilitation, Olomu reiterated the NCS’s dedication to easing business for port users by modernizing systems and implementing digital solutions.

“We are driving a modern and paperless system, and here in Apapa, we are gearing up to migrate from the old system to a new system while maximizing the benefits of what we have presently,” he noted.

As part of this transformation, the Customs boss said the Command operates on weekends to expedite cargo clearance.

Olomu also highlighted a recent milestone: “Just last week, the Command facilitated the first shipment of cargo to Kenya under the AfCFTA regime, marking a significant step forward in Nigeria’s regional trade relations.”

Olomu expressed gratitude for the support of the Command’s government and private sector partners, stating, “I want to specially thank all sister government agencies and our strategic private sector partners for being part of the success we are celebrating today.

Their contributions have been invaluable, and the impacts are evident in our scorecard.” He reiterated that compliance remains the Command’s priority: “Every consignment passing through the NCS in this port will be subjected to thorough examination, using scanners and physical means when necessary.”

Olomu reaffirmed the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against unethical practices and urged compliant trading.

“We shall continue to detect false declarations, concealment, undervaluation, and other unethical practices aimed at evading duties, shortchanging the government, and exposing citizens to unsafe products,” he said.