Story by Dili Utomi.
The redoubled efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service in one of the areas of its core mandates which is the protection of the national economy continues to yield great results.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi held a press briefing Thursday morning at the premises of the Apapa Command and he used the time to highlight the determination through detailed efforts to rid Nigeria of imported illicit medicaments and all other forms of illegal importations that are harmful to public health and the economy.
In his address , he said “As I have always emphasised, we will never sacrifice the health and security of Nigerians and everyone living in our country on the altar of trade facilitation. I am pleased to state that our officers are living up to expectations by executing our mandate to the fullest”.
His words “While our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade remains unwavering, we are equally dedicated to ensuring that any import consignment or export cargo transiting through our ports under customs control is thoroughly checked using our non-intrusive (scanning) measures and physical examinations where necessary”.
The CGC informed the press that “Today, I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion. Allow me to explain that these items, if allowed to exit the ports, would undermine the security of our dear nation by influencing the behaviour of individuals involved in criminal activities, often fuelled by illicit drugs such as tramadol”.
The pharmaceutical products aside from being expired, they were imported without undergoing the necessary regulatory requirements, such as obtaining a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number. There were also containers that were seized due to false declarations, ostensibly to evade duty payments, which amounts to smuggling. In total, 12 containers have been seized. These importations are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.
One of the seized containers, a 1x40ft container with box number SEGU4339917, was declared to contain baclofen tablets, metoprolol succinate, atenolol gloves, losartan potassium, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin calcium, esomeprazole magnesium, diclofenac sodium topical gel, valsartan tablets, losartan potassium, and timolol maleate.
The CGC added that “Upon examination, the container was found to be laden with daily health immune supplements that expired in July this year; acyclovir capsules that expired in April 2024; valsartan tablets (320mg and 160mg) that expired in June 2024; prednisone tablets (USP 10mg) that expired in June 2024; losartan potassium tablets (100mg) that expired in June 2024; major aspirin low-dose pain reliever (81mg) that expired in June 2024; vitamin D supplements that expired in June 2024; magnesium oxide tablets (420mg) that expired in June 2024; diclofenac sodium topical gel expiring in November 2024; oral rehydration solution mix that expired in July 2024; unimap multiple micronutrient supplements expiring in December 2025, and other regulated medical items”.
In addition to the expired pharmaceutical products, another 20ft container (No. DFSU 1362498) was found to contain cartons of Royal Tramadol (225mg) concealed with expired cartons of Really Extra analgesic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory tablets without a NAFDAC number.
A total of 7×20 feet containers were found to have contained illegal medicaments and 2×40 feet containers with registration numbers (Nos. CAUU 5699055 and SUAN 8691124) laden with 15,540 and 12,000 pieces of Cutlass and machetes, respectively. A total of 27,540 pieces of Cutlass and machetes were contained in the two containers.
CGC Adeniyi commends Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, and the officers working with him for this anti-smuggling exploits.
He noted that “The Apapa Command handles the highest volume of trade for the NCS, collects the highest revenue, and is therefore saddled with a higher degree of expectation from the management of the Service and the government. I urge them to maintain this level of performance”.
He advises port users to embrace only legitimate trade and restated that the NCS, under his leadership is fully committed to its responsibilities in detecting all forms of concealment.
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