The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recently announced a significant interception of contraband at the Lagos Port. On Friday, the Command’s Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, revealed that officers had successfully seized seven containers packed with expired pharmaceuticals, 12,000 cutlasses and machetes, and 4,129 packages of frozen chicken that were illegally imported into the country.
In a detailed press briefing, Comptroller Olomu shared that the seized items also included 368 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing. The total value of these confiscated goods was estimated at N292.244 million. He emphasized that these actions align with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ zero-tolerance policy towards smuggling.
The interception of these containers took place on Thursday, July 17, 2024. Comptroller Olomu pointed out that the expired drugs were imported from India, the cutlasses and machetes from China, and the frozen chicken from Turkiyé.
The operation is a testament to the enforcement of import prohibition guidelines, particularly those under schedule 3 of the Common External Tariff (CET) and section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Comptroller Olomu highlighted the importance of these regulations in protecting the country from harmful and illegal goods.
“These seizures were made possible through a blend of intelligence gathering and strict enforcement to ensure all consignments undergo proper examination before exiting Apapa Port or any terminal under our command,” he stated.
He assured that the Apapa Command remains dedicated to facilitating legitimate trade and maximizing revenue collection without compromising the enforcement of laws against false declarations, concealment, under-declaration, and undervaluation of goods. The Command is also committed to supporting regulatory agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and adhering to the end-user certificate requirements from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Comptroller Olomu reiterated the Customs Service’s stern stance against smuggling, warning that only consignments meeting compliance standards would be cleared for import or export. He confirmed that the seized items would be handed over to the relevant agencies for further investigation and regulatory action.
