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Customs

Customs bans bonded terminals from receiving Pharmaceutical products 

— accuses operators of abuse , complicit 
— intercepts 25 containers of illicit drugs at Apapa port 
Funso OLOJO Gloria Odion 
The Nigeria Customs Service has forthwith stopped pharmaceuticals products from being stemmed into bonded terminals.
The decision was taken to stop the abuse of terminal operators who are said to have been found complicit in some of the seizures made of fake and unregistered pharmaceuticals products.
According to Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, make this declaration on Friday, July 11th, 2025 at the enforcement unit of Apapa port command while handing over 25 containers of seized illicit pharmaceuticals products to the NAFDAC.
Adewale disclosed that to ensure close scrutiny of the import of these regulated products, the Customs initially designated Apapa port, Onne port and the Airport command as the only entry points for these products.
He however said the PTML command has been lately added to the list of entry points.
The CGC warned that no other port is allowed to take reception of pharmaceuticals products due to their sensitivity nature.
He attributed the soaring success of the Customs in the interdictions of illicit phamacitical products in recent times to the collaboration with the NAFDAC which was consummated with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU).
” This kind of inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing have been central to our enforcement strategy”
” The agreement framework, the MOU framework, enables and NAFDAC to conduct coordinated operations and joint investigations systematically tracing illicit pharmaceutical sources and deploy targeted enforcement strategies against the criminal networks behind them”
” Today, we will formally hand over to NAFDAC  a total of 25 containers laden with counterfeit medications, unregistered pharmaceutical products and prohibited substances, including preparations that pose imminent danger to public life.
“These seizures, with  a combined aggregate duty paid value of 9,235,402,973 Naira, represent a sophisticated network of criminal enterprises that deliberately exploit regulatory gaps to compromise our national security.
“A detailed breakdown of these seizures reveals disturbing patterns of misdeclaration and systematic attempts to circumvent established import protocols.
“The containers comprise 21 40-foot containers and four 20-foot containers containing predominantly unregistered pharmaceutical products, including sexual enhancement drugs such as Rexone and Hydra products, codeine-containing cough syrups, including CSE brands,antibiotic injections like oxytetrazolamine and apnesumate, pain relief medications containing diethyl medicants such as paracetamol, skin-lightening creams marketed as all-purpose, nopollutionist, key-chemicals, hemolysis and breast-enlightenment products.
” These seizures include expired food products such as margarine and chocolate, pain relief medications including albedozol, bonus piglets, anti-malarial drugs like atepam, atequic, and consumer goods such as Sena soups, all of which reflect a sophisticated and diversified contraband portfolio that poses significant threats to public health, consumer safety, and regulatory integrity.
“The strategy we have developed with NAFDAC reflects strategic collaboration at its finest, with the Director-General of NAFDAC providing us critical intelligence, sometimes at midnight, about suspicious importation, intelligence that has proven decisive to our anti smoking operations.
“The coordination we are talking about, which has been facilitated by our MOU, enables swift responses to emerging threats”
” Under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Advisor, our joint operations have resulted in the seizure of over 200 containers, followed by four limited destruction exercises Lagos and Port Hacourt with unregistered pharmaceutical products comprising a whopping 63% of the seizure values.
” This highlights the scale of threats that could have been inflicted on human lives and our social ecosystem if we had permitted them to infiltrate our system”
The CGC however warned the perpetrators of this illicit trade to desist from it as the long arm of the law will catch up with them wherever they may be
” Let me once again use this opportunity to read the RIOT Act to all those of close elements and stakeholders within the international trade environment that the Nigerian Customs Service, in strategic partnership with our sister government agencies, will remain in an uncompromising stance to enforce regulatory compliance, which shall deploy all our full statutory powers of seizure,arrest, investigation and prosecution of suspects without hesitation or compromise”
” And furthermore, wherever it is discovered that other economic operators, like transport companies, haulage operators, bonded terminal owners, or any other facilitators, are found to be complicit in these illegal activities, such persons or companies will face the full wrath of the law.
“Our intelligence network and technological capabilities have been significantly enhanced to detect and intercept prohibited items, regardless of concealment methods or documentation” Adeniyi stated.
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Customs

FOU A bursts 473 smuggling operations in 8 weeks, records major seizures with N5.5billion DPV

– plans relocation to new ultra- modern Iperu headquarters 
Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
The Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A, Lagos, has foiled about 473 major smuggling operations across its areas of coverage within the last eight week.
Making this disclosure on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 was the Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu while giving account of the performance of the Unit.
According to him, the operations led to the seizure of a wide range of prohibited and contraband items, including 8,794 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 15 trailer loads), 22 used vehicles, 1,863 used refrigerator compressors and  328 bales of used clothing.
Others were 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil, 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 485 used tyres, 69 cartons of foreign spaghetti, sugar and other food items, as well as 531 cartons of frozen poultry products.
In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that the Unit launched a special operation codenamed Operation Hawk, targeting illicit drug networks.
This resulted in the seizure of 3,340 parcels of cannabis indica, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud,” weighing 1,540kg.
He emphasized that the operation reflects the Unit’s resolve to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates and curb the spread of illicit substances.
In a related development, officers at the Gbaji outpost, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a vehicle along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor conveying hard drugs.
The suspect arrested with the prohibited items, a 71-year-old Nigerian, was found in possession of 6.4kg of cocaine and methamphetamine with an estimated street value of ₦2.35 billion.
Several arrests were made across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo States in connection with these seizures.
Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that the seized narcotics have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, in line with existing inter-agency collaboration frameworks.
The Unit also recorded the seizure of four cylinders of high-grade mercury, a controlled substance under the Minamata Convention, concealed in a vehicle.
The suspect and items has been transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further action.
Beyond seizures, the Unit achieved significant revenue recovery, recording a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦5,504,039,720 within the review period.
Additionally, ₦97,703,596.55 was recovered through the issuance of Demand Notices on improperly declared consignments.
Comptroller Aliyu highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize operations through the deployment of advanced technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, drone surveillance, and predictive analytics.
These tools, he noted, are enhancing intelligence-led enforcement, improving response times, and disrupting smuggling networks across the Zone.
He further disclosed that the Unit will soon commence a phased relocation to its newly commissioned ultra-modern headquarters in Iperu, Ogun State.
The facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre designed to support real-time monitoring, data analytics, and improved inter-agency coordination.
Reaffirming the Unit’s dual mandate, Comptroller Aliyu stressed that while enforcement remains a priority, the FOU Zone ‘A’ is equally committed to facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that compliant traders are not unduly hindered.
He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and strategic direction, as well as to stakeholders and the media for their continued support.
The Comptroller reiterated the Unit’s determination to sustain its crackdown on economic sabotage, protect national revenue, and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment.
The Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, has reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to combating smuggling and safeguarding Nigeria’s economy across the South-West region.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, Comptroller Aliyu stated that the Unit has strengthened enforcement measures in line with the Federal Government’s fiscal policies and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. He noted that through enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration, the Unit successfully intercepted 473 smuggling attempts within an eight-week period.
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Customs

Oyo/Osun Customs Command collects 27.2billon revenue in Q1 2026

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has posted an impressive 95% increase in revenue collection in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Led by Acting Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, the command generated ₦27.2 billion between January and March 2026, up from ₦13.97 billion in Q1 2025.
A breakdown of the generated revenue revealed that the command raked in a total sum of N5,977,766,941.65 in January 2026 which was about N2 billion lower (23% down) than the total sum of N7,804,408,776.88 collected in the same period of 2025.
However, despite a dip in January, revenue rebounded strongly in February and March.
 In February , the command’s revenue collection jumped up astronomically to a total sum of N8,767,974,864.40 against the very low total revenue of N2,289,193,870 realized in the corresponding period of 2025.
This year’s February revenue is over 383% higher than the revenue collected the same period last year.
February’s performance was the standout, with collections nearly quadrupling year-on-year.
In March 2026, Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative ingenuity and thoroughness further shored up the revenue generation of the command in the month under review to a total sum of N12,454,516,158.62.
 In the corresponding period  of last year, the command’s generated revenue was a patry sum of N3,877,668,667.
This year’s March revenue achievement represents 321% rise over last year’s.
 Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative reforms and enforcement measures are credited with driving the surge.
Overall, the command’s Q1 results underscore a significant improvement in efficiency and compliance, positioning Oyo/Osun as one of the strongest performing Customs Commands in the country.
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Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
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