The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has uncovered containers Laden with two stolen exotic cars from Canada, which were among the unregistered illicit goods intercepted in six containers with hard drugs cosmetics among others.
Addressing the media on Thursday in Apapa, Lagos headquarters of the command, the customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD, noted that six containers laden with prohibited items mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, used clothing and the two cars illegally imported were uncovered.
The jeeps, a 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chassis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chassis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 were falsely declared as food items.
Olomu disclosed that the seizures worth a total of DPV :N3,247,427,969.00 (Three billion,Two hundred and forty-seven million, Four hundred and twenty-seven thousand Nine hundred and sixty-nine naira).
Breaking down the seizures into three categories, the controller stated that category
1 being Container No.SUDU 8685733(40FT) which was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet.
Another was Container No.MRSU 4846204(40FT) found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat.
The two seizures were said to have a street value of N2,710,400,000.00(Two billion,seven hundred and ten million,four hundred thousand naira only).
According to him, Category 2 were Container No.ONEU 1153150(40 FT) found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks & 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as truck tyres and Container No.MRSU 3258823(40 FT) found to contain Rabeprazole, for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
Category 3 were the container carrying the two stolen Lexus Jeeps and container No.SEKU 4716830(40 FT) found to contain 390 bales of used clothing which contravene the import prohibition law.
Comptroller Olomu noted that the seizures were fallouts of uncompromising anti-smuggling activities of the command, warning that the command will not sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation, saying that under his watch and with the inspiring guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, the command remain committed to its mandate.
Compt. Olomu declared that the command would not sacrifice compliance to the import guidelines and other import extant laws, especially Customs Act ,2023, on the altar of trade facilitation.
In his words,"While we facilitate trade,collect revenue for government,the NCS owes the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing”
” As officers at the nation’s largest, busiest and premier port, we are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchant of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances” Olomu declared.
He disclosed that three suspects have so far been arrested in connection with these seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.
Olomu also disclosed that the command has crossed the one trillion – naira collection before the end of the fifth month, having generated a total of #1,094 trillion as at 21 May 2025.
“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we’ve done before, we are ready to do better this year. Our chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for us and attests to our capacity to do more.
For instance, in October 2024, we collected #18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of N18.9 billion and on 20 May, 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of N18.919 billion. All these were groundbreaking daily collections,” the Apapa controller revealed.
He finally warned that Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity and that officers are very much ready to uncover concealment and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.
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