Customs and NAFDAC Consolidate Regulatory Partnership with ₦20.5 Billion Pharmaceutical Seizure at Onne Port
Kathy Kyari
In a significant stride toward strengthening inter-agency cooperation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in collaboration with other national security agencies, have intercepted 16 containers of illicit pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦20.5 billion.
The seizure was carried out at the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne, marking a major success following the recent establishment of a joint committee to implement the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to deepen regulatory collaboration.
Announcing the development during a press briefing on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Command’s headquarters in Onne, Rivers State, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, attributed the successful operation to intelligence-driven enforcement and renewed synergy among Nigeria’s security and regulatory institutions.
“Our anti-smuggling operations align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy on border security, public health, and national safety. We remain committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s borders are not exploited by criminal elements,” Adeniyi stated.
He explained that the syndicate employed “sophisticated concealment tactics,” disguising the illicit drugs as benign imports such as tomato paste, ceiling fans, and plumbing materials.
Items seized included 1.3 million bottles of Codeine syrup (100ml), 9.3 million tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac, and 12.6 million tablets of Royal Tramadol (225mg), in addition to unregistered and dangerous pharmaceuticals such as Trodol, Hyergra, Bisoveu, and Bassuka.
“This seizure sends a clear message to criminal networks: the Nigeria Customs Service, in partnership with our enforcement counterparts, maintains zero tolerance for smuggling. We will bring the full weight of the law to bear on all perpetrators,” Adeniyi warned.
The containers were officially handed over to NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, for further regulatory action in accordance with legal procedures.
In her remarks, Professor Adeyeye commended the vigilance of the Customs Service and its collaborating agencies, while underscoring the grave public health threat posed by the illicit shipment.
“Frankly, it was shocking. These products could destroy lives: Codeine, Tramadol, and counterfeit painkillers. The fact that some were hidden in tomato paste shows clear criminal intent. This isn’t business; this is murder for profit,” she said.
She confirmed that the seized items would undergo comprehensive regulatory procedures including laboratory analysis, documentation, and safe destruction.
“We are WHO-certified, with international-standard laboratories and well-trained personnel. These products will never make it into the Nigerian market,” she affirmed.
Issuing a stern warning to importers of falsified medicines, Professor Adeyeye referred to them as “merchants of death,” emphasizing that Nigeria would not be used as a dumping ground for substandard or unauthorized pharmaceuticals.
In his address, Customs Area Controller of PH II Onne Command, Comptroller Muhammed Babandede, described the event as historic and emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration.
He acknowledged the contributions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), NAFDAC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“The seizure involved eleven 40-foot containers of illicit medicines, four micro containers of bottled water, and one container of salt. This success reflects the strength of our collaboration, which aligns with the Service’s policy of unity through cooperation, consolidation, and innovation,” Babandede stated.
This development follows closely on the heels of a major seizure at Apapa Port last week, where 25 containers of substandard medical devices were impounded.
All participating agencies reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing intelligence-sharing, coordinated enforcement, and regulatory oversight in line with national security imperatives and international best practices.
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