By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt Area I Command, has transferred intercepted pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control following their seizure at the cargo terminal of Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, authorities have confirmed.
According to a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Barilule Aanee, the official handover took place on February 12, 2026, at the NAHCO Shed within the airport complex. Representatives of security agencies, freight forwarding associations and journalists witnessed the exercise, a development officials said demonstrated strengthened inter-agency collaboration to protect public health and national security.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, said the consignments were intercepted during routine examination and intelligence-driven checks carried out jointly with other enforcement bodies. She disclosed that officers uncovered six packages of pharmaceutical products — including Menotrophin 150 IU injections, Progesterone and Isifrane — alongside three additional packages containing Tramadol Ratiopharm injections in two separate shipments.
Atuluku explained that the products were neither properly declared nor accompanied by mandatory regulatory certification required for lawful importation. She revealed that one of the consignments, shipped under the name Zecho Oil and Gas Nig. Ltd for Elite Health Pharmacy Ltd, arrived on Airway Bill No. 020 34858250, weighed about 135 kilograms and contained 4,300 units transported by Lufthansa Cargo. Another shipment arriving from Amsterdam under Allied Airway Bill No. 574 34543283 was falsely declared as spare parts.
She stressed that no pharmaceutical product, regardless of quantity or importer, is permitted entry into Nigeria without proper declaration and clearance from NAFDAC, adding that the enforcement action aligns with the policy direction of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which prioritises innovation, collaboration and consolidation in customs operations.
The Controller commended the vigilance of the Command’s Intelligence Unit and participating officers, noting that sustained cooperation among regulatory agencies remains essential for strengthening enforcement and safeguarding the nation’s supply chain.
Responding, Deputy Director of NAFDAC’s Port Inspection Directorate, Pharm. Adepoju Bayo Raufu, praised Customs for its alertness and swift transfer of the seized items. He said the partnership between both agencies has been instrumental in preventing unregistered and potentially dangerous pharmaceutical products from infiltrating the Nigerian market and assured that the agency would subject the consignments to standard regulatory procedures.
The handover concluded with the formal transfer of the products for further action, as Customs reiterated its commitment to intelligence-driven operations and strict enforcement measures to ensure that only properly declared and certified pharmaceutical imports gain access into the country.
