Economy
Customs Area I Command Hands Over Intercepted Expired Medicaments to NAFDAC
By Bon Peters
The Port Harcourt Area I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, handed over a consignment of intercepted expired medicaments to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Rivers State.
The command’s spokesperson, Barilule Aanee, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, said in a statement that the transfer of the items underscored the strong inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding public health.
The handover was witnessed by representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Services (DSS), other security agencies, freight forwarding associations, stakeholders and members of the media.
The Customs Area Controller for the command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, stated that the seizure was a clear demonstration of the agency’s commitment to preventing harmful and prohibited pharmaceutical products from finding their way into Nigerian markets, disclosing that the expired medicaments were intercepted during a joint examination conducted by officers of the command in collaboration with NAFDAC and other relevant agencies.
She added that the consignment contained several cartons of expired pharmaceutical products with a Combined Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of over N50 million.
Ms Atuluku emphasised that the interception prevented what could have resulted in serious public health consequences, as expired medicines posed significant health risks, including treatment failure, drug toxicity and antimicrobial resistance.
She reaffirmed that her organisation “would remain resolute in protecting the nation’s borders against the importation of expired, substandard, falsified and prohibited goods.”
Receiving the items, the Deputy Director of NAFDAC for Port Inspection Directorate, Mr Adepoju Bayo Raufu, commended the customs for its vigilance and sustained partnership in protecting Nigerians from harmful pharmaceutical products.
He assured that the agency would immediately commence the necessary regulatory procedures to ensure the safe disposal of the expired medicaments in accordance with established laws and guidelines.
