NAFDAC Receives Seized Pharmaceutical Products from Rivers Customs

By Bon Peters

The Port Harcourt Area I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over pharmaceutical products intercepted at the Omagwa International Airport recently to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The spokesman for the command, Mr Barilule Aanee, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1, said in a statement that the items were given to NAFDAC on February 12, 2026, at the NAHCO Shed of the airport, where the seizure occurred.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, disclosed that the interception was made during routine examination and intelligence-driven scrutiny at the NAHCO Shed by officers of the Command in collaboration with relevant agencies.

She disclosed that six packages of pharmaceutical products, including Menotrophin 150 IU injections, Progesterone, and Isifrane, as well as three packages of medicaments containing Tramadol Ratiopharm injections, were discovered in two separate consignments.

The products, according to the statement, were neither properly declared nor accompanied by the mandatory NAFDAC certification required for lawful importation into Nigeria.

The Customs Area 1 chief further revealed that one shipment, originating under the name Zecho Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited for Elite Health Pharmacy Ltd, with Airway Bill No. 020 34858250, weighing 135 kilograms and amounting to 4,300 units, transported by Lufthansa Cargo Airline, was among the seized products.

More so, another consignment on Allied Airway Bill No. 574 34543283 from Amsterdam was falsely declared as spare parts.

She emphasised that regardless of the importer or volume involved, “no pharmaceutical product is permitted entry into Nigeria without proper declaration and regulatory clearance from NAFDAC.”

Comptroller Atuluku commended the diligence of the Customs Intelligence Unit and all officers involved, stressing that sustained interagency cooperation remained vital to strengthening enforcement and preserving the integrity of the nation’s supply chain.

While receiving the items, the Deputy Director of the NAFDAC Port Inspection Directorate, Pharm. Adepoju Bayo Raufu, thanked the customs for its vigilance and prompt handover of the intercepted items.

He assured that the agency would subject the items to appropriate regulatory procedures in line with its mandate to safeguard public health.