By Tony Obiechina Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its zero tolerance for illegal and substandard imports following the interception of 16 containers laden with prohibited goods valued over ₦10 billion.
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, at Apapa Area Command.
Representatives from key enforcement agencies, including the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), attended the event.
The CGC explained that the seizures resulted from sustained intelligence-driven operations to protect the country from harmful imports and enforce existing trade laws.
“Today, we have seizures of 16 containers laden with prohibited drugs, expired medication, expired food, and other items that run foul of our import prohibition guidelines, including arms and ammunition. These smuggled items have a harmful effect on the health and well-being of unsuspecting Nigerians who would have consumed them, in addition to causing insecurity in the country.”
He noted that among the intercepted items was a container, which initially passed inspection but, upon a second search prompted by intelligence, was found to contain 202 cans of Colorado Loud, a Canadian hard drug, weighing 101kg. Further scanning revealed concealed arms and ammunition, including two pump-action rifles, 25 ammunition cartridges, one pistol with 55 rounds, and related accessories.
According to the Customs Boss, the consignment was linked to a Lagos resident, Babatunde Ogidiolu. Other seizures included seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing.
The CGC stressed that the NCS would continue to work closely with sister agencies to ensure that harmful, substandard, and counterfeit products do not reach Nigerian markets.
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“Our vow to protect the national economy and the well-being of citizens and residents of Nigeria remains unshaken. He warned that the NCS, with the support of our strategic partners, will keep delivering uncompromising enforcement backed by intelligence to detect and seize prohibited items”.
Representatives of sister agencies commended the Service for its vigilance. The Director of the South-West Zone for NCCSALW, CP Alamutu Abiodun (Rtd), noted that the seizure of arms and ammunition significantly aids in curbing the proliferation of small arms in the country.
“I wish Nigeria Customs more success because their breakthroughs assist us. They have helped solve half of the problem we collectively face”, he said.
