Apapa Customs: Comptr. Olomu Hands Over Six Containers of Unwholesome Pharmaceutical Products to NAFDAC, NDLEA, Rakes-In N1.87tn As Revenue

Apapa Customs: Comptr. Olomu Hands Over Six Containers of Unwholesome  Pharmaceutical Products to NAFDAC, NDLEA, Rakes-In N1.87tn As Revenue 

By: Bisi Akingbade 

The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Comptroller Babatunde OLOMU,  has handed over six containers  carrying falsely declared and unwholesome pharmaceutical and controlled products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), today in Lagos.

Comptroller OLOMU made this disclosure during a press briefing at his command stating that the collaboration between Customs and sister agency made this interception possible with the ability and dedication of the command to prevent illicit importation, while preventing import and export that could undermine the well being and security of Nigerians.

“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.”

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

The items intercepted includes unapproved doses of tramadol, codeine cough syrups, injections, and other controlled substances.

The command boss stated  that the seized pharmaceuticals, violated 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.

Comptroller Olomu highlighted 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.

Talking about revenue generation, Comptroller Olomu affirmed that the command has generated the highest collection  with a total sum of One trillion eight hundred and seventy five billion, three hundred and sixty two million, three hundred and sixty -nine thousand, two hundred and fourteen naira, four kobo N1,875,362,369,214.04) compared to Nine Hundred and thirty- One billion, One hundred and twenty- three million, nine hundred and ninety- thousand, two and thirteen naira, eighty- eight kobo (931,123,998, 213.88).

This he said, shows a remarkable increase of 101% in corresponding year 2023 revenue figure despite remarkable decline 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 said further 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.

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