The Apapa area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday said that it has intercepted about seven containers carrying expired pharmaceuticals, 12,000 pieces of cutlasses, machetes and 4,129 packages of frozen chicken imported into the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the command Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, stated that the seizures were made following a combination of intelligence and diligent enforcement, ensuring that no consignment exits Apapa Port or any terminal under the command without undergoing proper examination.
The customs boss further added that as a working principle, the command will continually sustain and improve on trade facilitation and maximum revenue collection without compromising the enforcement of extant laws as they pertain to false declaration, concealment, under declaration and under valuation.
“This is part of the Comptroller-General of Customs policy thrust of zero tolerance for smuggling, the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has successfully intercepted seven (7) containers that fall short of the import prohibition guidelines from entering the country.’’
Giving further account of the seizures, Olomu disclosed that on July 18th, 2024, the command seized 2x40ft containers carrying 12,000 pieces of cutlass and machete, 2x40ftcontainers carrying 4,129 packages of frozen hen, 1x40ft container carrying 368 jumbo bales of used second-hand clothing and 1x40ft container carrying expired pharmaceutical with the combined duty paid value of N292.244million.
However, he re-emphasized that the command under his leadership will continue to enforce the requirements for sister regulatory agencies like NAFDAC in the case of food and drugs and strict implementation of the end user certificate rules for products that require it from relevant authorities like the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The command’s helmsman reiterated the earlier warning issued by the CGC on the smuggling of prohibited items and restated that the Apapa command will keep ensuring only consignments that meet the integrity test of compliance will be allowed to go through the port either as import or export cargoes.
Finally, he appreciated the continuous existing support and cordial relationship with government agencies and promised that the seized items will be handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigation and regulatory action.
