General
Apapa Port Customs Seizes N3.2bn Prohibited Drugs, Crosses N1trn Revenue
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a shipment of prohibited pharmaceuticals and other contraband goods with an estimated duty paid value (DPV) of N3.2 billion.
The illegal shipment, smuggled into the country through the Lagos Port Complex, was uncovered following intensified enforcement operations. Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos on Thursday, Customs Area Comptroller, Mr Babatunde Olomu, said the seizures were a result of joint efforts by the NCS and other national and international security agencies.
“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.
“Consequently, as a result of our painstaking efforts, we recently uncovered six more containers laden with prohibited items, mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals. Other items in the seized containers are cosmetics, used clothing, and two vehicles illegally imported into the country. These seizures are worth a total DPV of N3.2 billion.
“While we facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, the NCS owes the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and well-being,” Mr Olomu said.
“As officers at the nation’s largest, busiest, and premier port, 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.
“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—an international enforcement effort against counterfeit, substandard, and unauthorized medical supplies,” he added.
On arrests made so far, Mr Olomu disclosed that, “Three suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.
“These two seizures alone have a street value of N2.7 billion,” he said.
“Interestingly, these 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).”
According to Comptroller Olomu, the seizures fall into three main categories: namely A 40-foot container (No. SUDU 8685733) was found to contain 1,698 cartons of RTPL CSC cough syrup with codeine, concealed in 202 packages of water closets.
Another 40-foot container (No. MRSU 4846204) contained 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup, also hidden inside toilet seats.
He disclosed that other intercepted consignments include:
Container Number ONEU 1153150 (40FT) carrying 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks and 30g Clobetasol cream, falsely declared as truck tyres.
Container Number MRSU 3258823 (40FT), which held unregistered drugs including Rabeprazole for injection, Zahifranil tablets (25mg), Vancomycin hydrochloride (1000mg), and Ciprophetadine with Vitamin B complex—falsely declared as kitchenware and tables.
Container Number MRKU 0904594 (40FT), which concealed two stolen vehicles from Canada: a 2024 Lexus RX 450 (Chassis No. JTJCJNGA6R2017707) and a 2023 Lexus RX 350 (Chassis No. 2T2BAMCAPCO32741), falsely declared as food items.
Container Number SEKU 4716830 (40FT), which contained 390 bales of used clothing, in violation of the country’s import prohibition laws.
Giving other related activities, he said the command had crossed the N1 trillion revenue mark before the end of May. “We have so far generated a total of N1.094 trillion as of 21 May 2025,” he said.
“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we’ve done before, we are ready to do better this year,” he added.
He also highlighted notable revenue milestones: “For instance, 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.”
Mr Olomu issued a strong warning Saying: “Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity, and our officers are very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrests where necessary.”
Also speaking, Assistant Comptroller General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in charge of Narcotics, Mr Buba Uwadiawakawa, attributed the success to joint intelligence-sharing efforts.
“The interception of the huge volumes of unregistered pharmaceuticals was made possible through the collaborative efforts of local and international security partners.” he said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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