‘We Will Not Sacrifice Compliance on the Altar of Trade Facilitation’- Comptroller Olomu Warns Unpatriotic Importers

.As Apapa Customs Uncovers Another Six Containers Laden with Prohibited Items Worth N3.2 Billion

.Hands Over to Partner Agencies

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu has read riot act to all importers who chose to be unpatriotic in their trading activities, depicting his firm stance on compliance and priority on regulatory adherence.

Comptroller Olomu charged that the Command will not sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade Facilitation.

This is coming on the heels of another six containers Laden with Prohibited Items Worth N3.2 billion, uncovered by Officers of the Apapa Port Command recently.

Addressing journalists at the Command’s Headquarters on Thursday 22, May 2025, in Apapa, Lagos, Comptroller Olomu frowned at the illegal activities of the economic Saboteurs, warning that on his watch and with the inspiring guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, who was in the Command few weeks ago to showcase twelve containers of seized pharmaceuticals, the Service will leave no stone unturned”.

He gave stern warning that Apapa Port remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity and that his officers are very much ready to uncover concealment and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.

The Area Controller highlighted items hidden in the seized containers to include unregistered pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, used clothing and two stolen vehicles illegally imported into the country.

According to him, the seizures can be broken down into three categories: “Category 1-Container No.SUDU 8685733(40FT) was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet.

“Container No. MRSU 4846204(40FT) was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat.The two seizures have a street value of N2,710,400,000.00 (Two billion,seven hundred and ten million,four hundred thousand naira only).

“Interestingly, these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

“Category 2: Container No. ONEU 1153150(40 FT) found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks &30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as TRUCK TYRES.

“Container No. MRSU 3258823(40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.

“Category 3: Container No.MRKU 0904594(40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada. A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items. While container No.SEKU 4716830 (40 FT) was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing which contravene the import prohibition law”.

“The total Duty Paid Value of the seized items is N3,247,427,969.00 (Three billion, Two hundred and forty-seven million, Four hundred and twenty-seven thousand Nine hundred and sixty-nine naira),” he said, “So far, three suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law”.

The Command’s Helmsman further reaffirmed the Service commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens from products that are harmful to their health and well-being.

He said, “While we facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, the NCS owe the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing.

“As officers at the nation’s largest, busiest and premier port, we are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchant of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances like the ones I shall be showing you today.

“We also intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that was attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria like I mentioned earlier on. In addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, these imported containers with prohibited medical items also violate the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV -which is a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorized medical supplies”.

Speaking further, the Area Controller told journalists that the Command has generated a total of N1,094 trillion as at 21 May 2025.

“Let me use this briefing to intimate you that having crossed the one trillion- naira collection before the end of the fifth month, we have so far generated a total of #1,094 trillion as at 21 May 2025.

“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we’ve done before, we are ready to do better this year. Our chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for us and attests to our capacity to do more. For instance, in October 2024, we collected #18.2 billion; on 14 March 2025, we recorded a feat of #18.9 billion and on 20 May,2025, we made another record-breaking collection of #18.919 billion. All these were groundbreaking daily collections,” he stated.