The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have recorded a major breakthrough in their efforts to combat smuggling and protect public health. The two agencies, in collaboration with other security outfits, have intercepted 16 containers loaded with illicit pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦20.5 billion at the Port Harcourt II Area Command in Onne.
The successful operation was attributed to intelligence-driven enforcement and the renewed synergy among national security and regulatory bodies. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the seizure during a press briefing held at the Command’s headquarters in Onne, Rivers State. According to him, the smugglers attempted to disguise the illicit drugs as regular imports such as tomato paste, ceiling fans, and plumbing materials.
The Comptroller-General of Customs emphasized that the anti-smuggling operations align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy on border security, public health, and national safety. He warned that the NCS, in partnership with its enforcement counterparts, maintains zero tolerance for smuggling and will bring the full weight of the law to bear on all perpetrators.
The seized items include 1.3 million bottles of Codeine syrup, 9.3 million tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac, 12.6 million tablets of Royal Tramadol, and other unregistered and dangerous pharmaceuticals. These products could pose a significant risk to public health if they were to enter the market.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, commended the vigilance of the Customs Service and its partner agencies. She stressed the public health threat posed by the illicit consignment, describing it as “shocking” and “murder for profit.” Professor Adeyeye confirmed that all seized items would undergo comprehensive regulatory procedures, including laboratory testing, documentation, and destruction.
Professor Adeyeye assured that the products would never make it into the Nigerian market, thanks to NAFDAC’s WHO-certified laboratories and well-trained personnel. She warned importers of falsified medicines, branding them “merchants of death” and reiterating that Nigeria would not serve as a dumping ground for substandard or unapproved pharmaceutical products.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of PH II Onne Command, Comptroller Muhammed Babandede, highlighted the critical role of institutional collaboration in achieving the seizure. He praised the contributions of NDLEA, NAFDAC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The Onne interception comes shortly after a separate major seizure at Apapa Port last week, where 25 containers of substandard medical devices were impounded. The NCS and NAFDAC have pledged to enhance intelligence-sharing, surveillance, and enforcement operations in line with national security objectives and global best practices.
The landmark ₦20.5 billion drug bust in Onne is a significant achievement for the NCS and NAFDAC. The seizure highlights the importance of interagency collaboration and the commitment of these agencies to protecting public health and preventing the circulation of illicit and substandard products.
The NCS and NAFDAC will continue to work together to ensure that Nigeria’s borders are not exploited by criminal elements. The public can expect continued enforcement operations and seizures as the agencies work to protect public health and national safety.