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 Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Police Command is investigating the delivery of a parcel containing live ammunition delivered to the managing director of First Bank Nigeria, Mr Oluwasegun Alebiosu.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Mr Tijani Fatai, confirmed the incident on Tuesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters.
He said Mr Alebiosu reported the case on May 7, noting that two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were sent to him through a parcel.
“The managing director reported the matter to the police after a package containing two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was delivered on his behalf by his security guard at his residence. The case is still under investigation, and we are treating it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
According to him, the parcel was first received by the bank chief’s security guard, who then handed it over to him.
The police commissioner said that operatives have launched an investigation, including forensic analysis and intelligence work, to identify the perpetrators and the circumstances of the incident.
He added that no suspect linked to the crime has been brought into custody.
“Presently, no suspect is in custody. Even though the MD has mentioned some people whom he suspected of being the brains behind it, that is his suspicion, anyway. We are still working on it,” he said.
Mr Fatai noted that detectives are reviewing information provided by the complainant, including details of individuals who may have relevant knowledge of the incident.
He assured the public that the command would keep them informed as the investigations go on, adding that the public should allow the police to carry out their duties.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has approved the declaration of a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas of the state, as part of measures targeted at tackling insecurity.
According to a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Musibau Babatunde, the curfew takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The movement restriction, between 4 pm and 8 am, lasts for 48 hours in the first instance and affects local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
The affected local councils are Oriire local government (Headquarters: Ikoyi-Ile), Orelope (Headquarters: Igboho), Irepo (Headquarters: Kisi), Saki West (Headquarters: Saki), Saki East (Hq Ago-Amodu), Atisbo (Headquarters: Tede / Ago-Are), Itesiwaju (Headquarters: Otu), Iseyin (Headquarters: Iseyin), Olorunsogo (Headquarters: Igbeti), and Atiba (Headquarters: Offa-Meta, Oyo).
The development followed a series of protests that rocked the state over the abduction of children and teachers in the Orire Local Government Area in May.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Mr Juwon Sanyaolu, who spoke during the latest protest held on Monday, said the demonstration was part of ongoing efforts by the group to push for the freedom of the victims.
According to him, the protest “is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers” in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.”
“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 46 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.
“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, West, and East of Nigeria,” Mr Sanyaolu said.
He also criticised political leaders for focusing on preparations for the 2027 elections while insecurity continues to threaten the lives of Nigerians.
“We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive.
“So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act, or they will continue to witness mass action,” he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Department of State Services (DSS) has closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling further witnesses in the matter, prompting the formal closure of the DSS case.
Following the development, defence counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro, told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish sufficient evidence against the former governor.
The defence subsequently sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested two weeks to respond.
The defence also applied for a variation of some of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, describing them as stringent and difficult to meet.
They argued that the bail terms were too stringent, particularly the requirements for level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna state traditional council.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified public officers who meet the conditions exist and urging the court to refuse the application.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the request to vary the bail conditions, ruling that there are civil servants who own properties at the said location.
The court, however, adjourned to September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and continuation of the trial.
In February, the federal government filed a three-count charge against the former governor of Kaduna State over an alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu.
In a television interview, he confessed that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Mr Ribadu’s phone after it was tapped by a third party. While acknowledging that such interception is technically unlawful, he argued that illegal surveillance was not unusual.
However, the FG, through the secret police, filed charges against Mr El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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