By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted 16 containers loaded with contraband goods; including arms, ammunition, expired pharmaceuticals, and prohibited food items with a duty paid value of over N10 billion.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Monday while showcasing the seizures to journalists at the Apapa Command.
He described the imports as a grave threat to national peace and security, noting that they violated multiple Nigerian laws.
Items seized include two pump-action rifles, 25 cartridges, a Smith and Wesson pistol with 55 rounds of ammunition, 202 cans of Canadian “Colorado loud” cannabis weighing 101kg, seven containers of expired and prohibited medications, three containers of expired margarine, and three containers of used clothing.
According to Adeniyi, one container, initially cleared, was found upon re-inspection in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to contain concealed weapons and drugs, uncovered through scanning technology.
Additional seizures included two containers of codeine syrup, two containers of expired chest and lung tablets lacking NAFDAC registration, and two containers holding 1,290 sacks each of frozen poultry products.
A notable find was 305 cartons of unregistered toothpaste, infringing on a Nigerian company’s trademark, hidden beneath beads and Jalabiya dresses.
Five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, three of whom have been arraigned and remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending trial next month.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to working with local and international partners to stop Nigeria from becoming a dumping ground for illegal and harmful goods.
