By Femi Anamelechi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a strong warning, registering its zero tolerance for illegal and substandard imports as the Agency seized 16 containers laden with prohibited goods valued at ₦10 billion. (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi. Bashir disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos, at Apapa Area Command, on Monday, 11 August, 2025. The event had in attendance, 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).The Customs General Comptroller pointed out that the seizures were the result of sustained intelligence-driven operations targeted at protecting the country from harmful imports and enforcing existing extant laws.
“Today, we have seizures of 16 containers laden with prohibited drugs, expired medicament, 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 wellbeing of unsuspecting Nigerians who would have consumed them in addition to causing insecurity in the country.”CGC Adeniyi disclosed 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.He said , 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 vowed that the NCS would continue to work closely with sister agencies to ensure that harmful, substandard, and counterfeit products do not reach Nigerian markets. “Our vow to protect the national economy, the well-being of citizens and residents of Nigeria remains unshaken. Let me once again warn 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 it is in their breakthroughs that assist us. They have helped solve half of the problem we collectively face”, he said.In another development, the CGC engaged port stakeholders on trade facilitation issues, assuring them that recommendations from the meeting would be addressed to improve efficiency while maintaining strict compliance with the law.
