CRIME & JUSTICE

CUSTOMS SEIZE FAKE DRUGS, USED CLOTHES, OTHERS WORTH OVER N9.2 BILLION IN LAGOS
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a major breakthrough in Lagos, seizing 27 containers loaded with fake drugs, used clothes, stolen vehicles, and other prohibited items, all valued at over N9.2 billion.
The massive haul was made by officers of the Apapa Area Command between January and June 2025. Speaking to journalists on Thursday in Lagos, the Area Controller, Babatunde Olomu, revealed that just in the past few days alone, nine of these containers were intercepted.
Breaking down the seizures, Olomu said they included 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, two containers of codeine syrup, four containers of second-hand clothing, two containers of stolen vehicles, as well as items like wild animal skins and even a container of matches imported without proper documentation.
“These efforts are part of our commitment to protect Nigerians from dangerous drugs and unwholesome products, stop illicit trade, and safeguard our local industries,” Olomu said.
He stressed that the command would never compromise the health and safety of Nigerians for the sake of trade facilitation. According to him, every shipment passing through the port undergoes strict scanning and, where necessary, detailed physical examination.
“Unregistered pharmaceuticals made up the bulk of our seizures, alongside controlled drugs, used clothes, codeine syrup, wild animal skins, and other items,” Olomu stated.
He also pointed out that trafficking in wild animal products violates the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Additionally, one of the seized containers held a large consignment of matches imported without the required End User Certificate (EUC), breaching existing customs regulations.
Olomu assured that the Apapa Command remains fully committed to enforcing the law and ensuring that Nigeria does not become a dumping ground for harmful or illegal goods.
"This represents a significant development in our ongoing coverage of current events."— Editorial Board