Apapa Customs Command Seizes Codeine, Used Clothes, And Stolen Vehicles Worth Over N3.2BN
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has made another round of high profile seizures, uncovering six containers loaded with prohibited items, including codeine based cough syrups, unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, and stolen vehicles valued at a N3.2 billion.
Speaking at a press briefing held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller BO Olomu PhD, said the seizures were a direct result of “uncompromising anti-smuggling activities” by his team, carried out under the firm directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
“Let me start by saying that this command is not sacrificing compliance on the altar of trade facilitation. On my watch and with the inspiring guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was in the command two weeks ago to showcase 12 containers of seized pharmaceuticals,” Olomu stated.
The six containers seized were said to contain items ranging from codeine syrup concealed in water closets and toilet seats to unregistered pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, used clothing, and two stolen luxury vehicles smuggled in under false declarations.
“These seizures are worth a total DPV: N3,247,427,969.00 (Three billion, Two hundred and forty-seven million, Four hundred and twenty-seven thousand Nine hundred and sixty-nine naira),” Olomu declared.
According to Olomu, the seizures include:
"Container No.SUDU 8685733(40FT)was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet."
"Container No.MRSU 4846204(40FT)was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat.The two seizures have a street value of N2,710,400,000.00(Two billion,seven hundred and ten million,four hundred thousand naira only)."
"Interestingly, these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)."
Container No.ONEU 1153150(40 FT) found to contain 1,584
packages of Globatin anti-marks &30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as TRUCK TYRES."
"Container No.MRSU 3258823(40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole,for injection,25mg Zahifranil tablets,1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride,ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex,and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables."
Container No.MRKU 0904594(40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada.A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items."
"While container No.SEKU 4716830 (40 FT)was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing which contravenes the import prohibition law."
“Therefore, while we facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, the NCS owe the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing,” the Controller emphasized.
He added that Apapa, as the nation’s busiest port, cannot afford to be lax when lives are at stake.
“We are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchants of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances like the ones I shall be showing you today. We also intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that was attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria like I mentioned earlier on.”
The Apapa Command also stressed that these activities violate both national and international laws.
“In addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, these imported containers with prohibited medical items also violate the World Customs Organization's Operation Stop IV—which is a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorized medical supplies.”
Three suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the seizures and are undergoing interrogation.
On the revenue side, Olomu had more good news. He announced that the command had already crossed the N1 trillion mark in revenue collection before the end of May.
“Having crossed the one trillion-naira collection before the end of the fifth month, we have so far generated a total of N1.094 trillion as at 21 May 2025,” he said.
Citing past milestones, he added, “In October 2024, we collected N18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of N18.9 billion and on 20 May, 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of N18.919 billion. All these were groundbreaking daily collections.”
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