The Nigeria Customs Service said it seized 13 containers of prohibited, expired, and falsely declared goods worth over N6.38bn at Apapa Port.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the APMT Terminals in Apapa on Tuesday. Adeniyi explained that officers of the command uncovered the contraband following detailed scanning analysis and physical examination.
Giving details of the seizures, he said that a 40-foot container with a registration number was conveying large quantities of expired pharmaceutical products.
Adeniyi added that another two 40-foot containers with registration numbers, MRSU 4584911 and MRSU 6913370, respectively, were conveying large consignments of Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate, unregistered pharmaceuticals.
He also stated that another 20-foot container with registration number, MRKU 8830266, conveying 800 cartons of codeine was deliberately concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware, and a 40-foot container (MRSU 5147562) conveying cartons of Artesunate 60 injections.
He hinted that a 20-foot container with registration number, PCIU 286888, was conveying restricted security equipment, including bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies, and tactical torches, without the End User Certificates.
“Additional seizures include: a 20-foot container with registration number, TCLU 3819607, conveying expired muffin cookie biscuits; a 20-foot container with registration number, UGMU 8692902, containing 36,000 cans of expired Primo energy drinks; a 20-foot container with registration number, SUDU 1696593, loaded with expired tomato paste; and another 20-foot container with registration number, TCLU 1923314, containing expired tomato paste.
“A 40-foot container with registration number, TCNU 7257465, containing 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup concealed with luxury food flasks. Another 40-foot container with registration number CAAU 8375050 was found to contain 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine concealed with 156 cartons of electric kettles, alongside additional pharmaceutical seizures including 13 cartons of Bristol brand Co-codamol 500mg and two cartons of Zevita brand Co-codamol 500mg,” he said.
He added that officers also intercepted 13 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa, commonly known as Colorado, weighing 347.57kg, concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle with chassis number 5TDDK3DC7DS057669. “The cumulative duty paid value of the various seizures is N6.38bn,” he stated.
Adeniyi said the importation of expired drugs and controlled substances poses a direct threat to public health, while the concealment of codeine-based products represents a calculated attempt to fuel substance abuse and undermine the nation’s healthcare system.
He warned that Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation. Adeniyi announced that in accordance with the NCS Act, 2023, the consignments are liable to outright forfeiture, while penalties will be imposed, evaded revenues recovered, and all persons connected to the shipments will face prosecution.
He said Apapa Port remains Nigeria’s busiest maritime gateway and one of the most strategic trade corridors in West Africa, adding that the service had been working closely with government agencies and industry stakeholders to address the persistent challenge of port congestion and improve efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime gateways.
“Measures such as the recent launch of the Green Channel at Lekki Deep Seaport are part of our broader strategy to accelerate cargo clearance for compliant traders and strengthen enforcement against high-risk consignments. Today’s engagement should therefore be seen as part of that continuing effort to modernise our cargo control processes,” he said.
According to him, as the volume of trade passing through Nigerian ports continues to grow, the responsibility placed on the service becomes even greater. He added that thousands of containers pass through this port every day, carrying goods that support businesses, sustain industries, and drive the national economy.
Adeniyi mentioned that while the mandate of the NCS requires trade facilitation, “we must also ensure that our ports are not exploited by criminals.”
“Current operational data from Apapa Port shows that 3,236 consignments were processed through the Orange channel (Non-Intrusive Inspection – scanning), 5,490 through the Yellow channel (documentary checks), while a significantly higher 21,373 consignments were subjected to full physical examination under the Red channel.