Customs Seizes ₦10bn Prohibited Goods, Vows Sustained Crackdown
0
0
Customs Seizes ₦10bn Prohibited Goods, Vows Sustained Crackdown
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 16 containers laden with prohibited goods valued at over ₦10 billion, reaffirming its zero tolerance for illegal and substandard imports.
Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the Apapa Area Command, Lagos, attended by top officials from the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Adeniyi said the seizures were the result of sustained intelligence-driven operations designed to shield Nigeria from harmful imports and enforce trade laws.
READ ALSO: NCS Flags Off Reputation Management Campaign in Zone ‘A’
“Today, we have seizures of 16 containers laden with prohibited drugs, expired medication, expired food, and other items that violate our import prohibition guidelines, including arms and ammunition,” he stated. “These smuggled items could have endangered the health and safety of unsuspecting Nigerians, while also fuelling insecurity in the country.”
Among the seizures was a container that had initially passed inspection but was flagged for a second search based on intelligence. It was found to contain 202 cans of Colorado Loud, a Canadian hard drug, weighing 101kg. Further examination revealed concealed arms and ammunition, including two pump-action rifles, 25 cartridges, a pistol with 55 rounds, and related accessories.
The Customs Chief linked the consignment to a Lagos resident, Babatunde Ogidiolu. Other intercepted shipments included seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments, three containers of expired food items—mainly margarine—and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to working closely with sister agencies to keep harmful, substandard, and counterfeit products out of Nigerian markets.
“Our vow to protect the national economy and the well-being of citizens remains unshaken,” he said. “With the support of our strategic partners, we will continue to deliver uncompromising enforcement backed by intelligence to detect and seize prohibited items.”
Commending the operation, Director of the South-West Zone for NCCSALW, CP Alamutu Abiodun (Rtd), said the seizure of arms and ammunition was a major boost in curbing the proliferation of small arms nationwide.
“I wish Nigeria Customs more success because their breakthroughs assist us. They have helped solve half of the problem we collectively face,” he noted.
