The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 13 containers of prohibited and expired goods valued at about ₦6.38 billion at Apapa Port following intensified enforcement operations.
The seizures were announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, during a press briefing on Tuesday at APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
According to Adeniyi, the interception was made possible through intelligence-driven investigations, cargo scanning technology, and targeted physical inspection of suspicious consignments handled by the Apapa Area Command.
Among the items recovered were large quantities of expired pharmaceutical products, including Mixagrip cold caplets, Ladinax tablets, chloroquine injections and diclofenac tablets.
Customs officials also discovered substantial consignments of Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate, along with 800 cartons of codeine syrup that had been concealed inside toilet cisterns and sanitary ware.
Further inspection uncovered cartons of Artesunate injections, as well as restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches.
In addition to the pharmaceutical products, customs officers uncovered several containers loaded with expired food items.
These included muffin cookie biscuits, 36,000 cans of expired Primo energy drinks, and containers of expired tomato paste branded St. Kelvin and De Truth.
Adeniyi disclosed that another container was found carrying 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup hidden among luxury food flasks, while a separate container contained 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine concealed within cartons of electric kettles.
The operation also led to the discovery of 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing approximately 347.57 kilograms, which were hidden inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
According to the customs chief, the total value of all seized items amounts to ₦6,381,237,988.
“The importation of expired medicines and controlled substances poses a serious threat to public health,” Adeniyi said, adding that the concealment of codeine-based products was a deliberate attempt to encourage substance abuse.
The Comptroller-General warned that Nigeria’s ports will no longer be used as channels for illegal imports.
“Apapa Port is no longer a safe haven for smugglers hiding behind legitimate documentation,” he stated.
Adeniyi also noted that physical cargo examination currently dominates port operations, stressing the need for expanded cargo scanning technology.
He said the Customs Service plans to significantly increase non-intrusive inspection systems across major ports before the end of 2026.
Ports expected to benefit from the expansion include:
-
Apapa Port
-
Tin Can Island Port
-
Port Harcourt Port
-
Onne Port
-
Calabar Port
According to him, improved scanning technology will enhance enforcement efficiency, reduce port congestion, and facilitate legitimate trade.
The Customs boss urged traders and importers to improve compliance with import regulations and participate in the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which allows trusted businesses to enjoy faster cargo clearance.
He added that the seized consignments are liable to forfeiture under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and individuals connected to the shipments could face prosecution.
Adeniyi reassured compliant traders that enforcement actions are aimed at criminal networks attempting to exploit Nigeria’s ports, not legitimate business operators.