By AISHA COLE

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sealed three bonded terminals in Apapa for various infractions, with one terminal charged to court for prosecution.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this during a media conference held in Lagos on Thursday.

Olomu stated that investigations were ongoing for the remaining two bonded terminals.

He warned perpetrators of illegal operations to desist from such activities, adding that the Apapa Command is staffed by “eagle-eyed officers”.

He revealed that between January and June 2025, the command intercepted 27 containers with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N9.2 billion.

Nine of these seizures included containers carrying unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, expired margarine, wild animal skins, and codeine syrup.

The Apapa Customs Controller further explained that the seizures comprised 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, two containers of codeine syrup, two containers of stolen vehicles, and four containers of second-hand clothing, among other items.

He said, “These 27 container seizures are a fallout of our efforts to prevent Nigerians from unwholesome foods and drugs, stop illicit trade, and protect our local industries.

“We will never compromise the health, well-being, or safety of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation. Every consignment passing through our port undergoes diligent checks through scanning and physical examination when required.”

He emphasised that unregistered pharmaceuticals were the most prominent items among the 28 seizures made by the command during the period under review.

The seizures also included controlled drugs, used clothes, codeine syrup, wild animal skins, and other sundry items.

Olomu highlighted that trafficking in wild animals contravenes the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.

He also noted the detention of a container of matches imported without the required End User Certificate (EUC), as stipulated by extant laws.

On trade facilitation, Olomu disclosed that the command generated N1.37 billion between January and June as revenue for the Federal Government.

He urged all officers of the command to redouble their efforts to surpass the command’s target for 2025.

Olomu acknowledged the support of sister agencies in intelligence sharing and joint consultations aimed at national security.

He attributed the command’s success to the Comptroller-General’s directives, which emphasise maximum collection of government revenue by preventing leakages and applying demand notices (DN) when necessary.

Speaking at the conference, Buba Wakawa, the Strategic Commander of Narcotics, Apapa Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), explained that importers of fake pharmaceuticals and other illicit drugs often use fake companies and addresses.

“Most of the drugs being imported are brought in the name of fake companies.

“We have some cases we are prosecuting at the Federal High Court, and we have to use their NIN to trace the perpetrators. However, if you use the bill of lading, it won’t lead anywhere,” he said.

Dr Olakunle Olaniyan, Director of Ports Inspectorate for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), condemned the smuggling of pharmaceutical products, labeling smugglers as “economy saboteurs.”

Olaniyan stressed that medicines are meant for the sick, not for facilitating criminal activities in society.

He commended Customs for the continuous interception of illicit substances and urged everyone to collaborate in the fight, advising the public to be vigilant.

Alhaji Abdul Fatai Babajide, a freight forwarder with over 24 years of experience, commended Customs for the robust synergy with stakeholders.

Babajide encouraged stakeholders to continue discussions on “B’odogwu” to address challenges encountered while logging out from the newly introduced operational platform for cargo processing. (NAN)

•PHOTO: From left, The Director Ports Inspectorate of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr Olakunle Olaniyan, the fourth left Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and the last Strategic Commander of Narcotics, Apapa command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Buba Wakawa during a news conference held in Apapa command on Thursday in Lagos