CGC Adeniyi Showcases Seizure of 16 Containers of Contraband at Apapa Port

.Hands Over Arms, Ammunition, Colorado Tins and Expired Pharmaceuticals to Relevant Agencies for Further Action

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on Monday showcased massive seizure of 16 containers laden with hard drugs, arms, expired pharmaceuticals, banned poultry products, Cannabis and other counterfeit goods made recently by Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of Customs Area Controller, Babatunde Olomu. The seized items were subsequently handed over to the relevant agencies for further action.

This is barely three weeks after the Agency handed over some seized Pharmaceutical product to National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) at Onne Port.

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) and also World Customs Organisation Council Chair, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, addressing journalists, Customs Officers and other Sister Agencies at the Handing Over of the Seized Contraband in Apapa, Lagos.

Speaking, the CGC disclosed that the seizures have a Duty Paid Value of N10,273,694,595, noting the smuggled items would have a harmful effect on the health and wellbeing of unsuspecting Nigerians if they consumed them and can also caused insecurity in the country

R-L: CGC Adewale Adeniyi MFR; CAC Apapa Port Command Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and CAC KLT Command, Comptroller Joy Edelduok.

He emphasized that the Service is committed to rid Nigeria of illicit and harmful medical importation by breaking miscreants supply chain and also ensured they don’t go beyond the seaports, airports and land borders into the commercial ecosystem.

The WCO Council Chair warned miscreants, whom he described as “merchants of death,” that Apapa Port will not be a haven for their illicit activities. “Despite previous seizures and arrests, these individuals continue to attempt to smuggle prohibited items into the country through the port. The customs authority remains resolute in its commitment to confronting and preventing these unlawful acts, ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians and the economy,” he stated.

“Our operatives in Apapa Port with the support of its internal intelligence and sister government agencies seized three (3) containers of expired margarine, three (3) containers of used clothes and five (5) containers carrying expired drugs, prohibited medicament and colorado hemp.

L-R: Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Dr. Olaniran Olakunle, Director of Port Inspection, Directorate of NAFDAC, Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, Assistant Comptroller General Timi Bomodi

“On July 24, 2025, during a joint physical examination with the NDLEA,a 1x40ft container number MRSU 6407089 was found to contain 202cans of Colorado Loud la specie of cannabis from Canada) with each can weighing 500 grams totaling 101Kg.

M-L-R: CGC Adewale Adeniyi MFR; ACG Timi Bomodi; Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, ACG OC Orbih; Area Controller MS Shuaibu, CAC Federal Operation Unit Zone A; Commander OB Wakawa, NDLEA Representative; CAC Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu; CAC PTML Command, Comptroller Tenny Daniyan; CAC TCIPC, Comptroller Frank Onyeka and Others at the Handing Over of seized Contraband in Apapa, Lagos on Monday, 11 August 2025.

“Also, inside the same container, we uncovered 2 pump action rifles,25 cartridges of ammunition, 1 Smith & Wesson Pistol with 55 rounds of ammunition, 1 blank, and other accessories,” he highlighted.

He cited a case of false declaration and attempt to circumvent the Service processes, where the system bill of laden listed the items of import as 3 Toyota Sienna and 1 Toyota Camry vehicles with the consignee as Babatunde Ogidiolu Samuel.

“Consequently, two suspects, the agent, one Mr. Modi Azuka of No.1Miracle Street, Ago Palace Way, and another suspect identified as Mrs.Lisa Akpedeme have been arrested and detained in connection with the Canadian Loud and weapons.They are currently undergoing interrogation.

“We also seized container number OERU 4243517 (40FT) found to contain 1,290 sacks of frozen chicken breast and another FBIU 5507953found to contain (40FT)1,290 sacks of frozen chicken breast.

“In a separate development, another seized container number ZCSU 7277511 (40FT) was found to contain 305 cartons of toothpaste without NAFDAC Registration number, cartons of slippers concealed in 46 cartons of beads, 40 cartons of Jalabiya, amongst others. Furthermore, just this morning, operatives at the Apapa port intercepted two containers (1x40ft and 1x20ft) carrying 2,401 cartons of codeine syrup.

“We also have another two suspects in connection with two containers of smuggled frozen poultry products.

“For the arms, ammunition and drugs, the two suspects shall be handed over to the NDLEA and DSS for further investigation and prosecution while the other two held for the poultry products shall be handed over to NAFDAC.

“Two of the suspects will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Age

“The NCS’s efforts are backed by robust synergy with sister agencies, including the NDLEA and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This collaboration has led to the seizure of various illicit items and the arrest of suspects,” he said.

The CGC warned that the Service will continue to deliver uncompromising enforcement backed by intelligence to detect and seize prohibited items. “Perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law, and the Service is determined to run criminal elements out of business,” he stated.

Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu reported that advanced scanning technology led to the discovery of concealed arms and ammunition.

He said the scanners detected the anomalies, allowing authorities to target specific areas and seize the contraband.

Further investigation, to him, revealed tins of Colorado, cleverly disguised as tomato tins, had been smuggled into the country. “This sophisticated smuggling attempt was thwarted as a result of the scanners’ precision”.

His words, “The result of the scanning gave birth to the arms as well as the ammunition. The scanners revealed the black spot, and directly descend on those spot, and when we removed them, tins of Colorado were brought into the country, deliberately mixed with real tin tomatoes. This is done to disguise the actual content of the tin”.

While showcasing the seizures one after the other, CGC Adeniyi explained how scanners foiled arms importation noting that non-intrusive scanners played a crucial role in detecting concealed arms and ammunition at Nigerian ports.

According to the CGC, the scanners can detect even small items, including pistols and pump-action guns, and it has been deployed at various ports, including Apapa, which has continued to yield impressive results.

He said, “Our non-intrusive technology has the capacity to detect a smallest item that criminals may want to import into Nigeria. “It is not difficult to be able to get a pump action detected, an item as small as the pistol can be detected when we subject them to scanners. We have deployed two of the scanners to Apapa Port and others at other Ports, which are up and running and we are getting results. This is one of them. It also revealed that there are cartridges, and other accessories inside. This dangerous materials which hopefully was imported to get into the hands of some criminals in our country. So when some guys wear the uniforms, they go on the road and say they are military officers. These are military camouflages, and nobody is authorized to import them into our Country,” the CGC said.

The Director of Port Inspection, Directorate of NAFDAC, Dr. Olaniran Olakunle, on his part, warned that fake and substandard products pose significant health risks. He urged Nigerians to only patronize licensed pharmacies registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and NAFDAC, and avoid self-medication to safeguard their health.

Representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Commander OB Wakawa, Customs Area Controller Babatunde Olomu, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) representative, Commander OB Wakawa raised concerns about the potency of cannabis indica from Canada, explaining that the items seized from the tomato tins had been tested and confirmed to be cannabis.

Commander Wakawa noted that Nigerian cannabis is primarily Cannabis Sativa, while Canadian cannabis is often Cannabis Indica.

He however warned that the Canadian cannabis indica has been genetically modified to increase its potency, making it stronger and potentially more hazardous. He also cautioned that this genetically modified cannabis indica from Canada is particularly dangerous due to its enhanced potency.

The Director of the South-West Zone for National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), CP Alamutu Abiodun (Rtd), noted that the seizure of arms and ammunition significantly aids in curbing the proliferation of small arms in the country.

The seizures made by the Apapa Port Command are significant strides in the Service anti-smuggling efforts as it demonstrated its resolve to protect the national economy and the well-being of citizens and residents of Nigeria.

“The NCS remains resolute in its efforts to detect and seize prohibited items, and its collaboration with strategic partners will continue to yield results,” the CGC affirmed.

The CGC inspecting the quarter guards upon arrival at Apapa Port Command on Monday, 11 August 2025.

R-L: Customs Area Controller Babatunde Olomu, the fiscal wizard of the Service, gradually adding anti-smuggling czar feature to his portfolio, and Assistant Comptroller General Timi Bomodi.

The National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada PhD

L-R: PRO Lagos Industrial Command, JD Tomo; PRO FOU ‘A’, Hussaini Onawo; PRO Apapa Port Command, Tunde Ayagbalo; Zone ‘A’ PRO, Akaniyen Edeminam; TinCan PRO, Oscar Ivara and others at the Handing Over of seized Contraband in Apapa Lagos on Monday.