By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted sixteen containers laden with contraband goods valued at over ₦20.5 billion at the Onne Port in Rivers State, with eleven of them found to contain illicit pharmaceutical products.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, made the disclosure at a press briefing in Port Harcourt over the weekend, describing the seizure as one of the most significant anti-smuggling operations under his watch.
“In line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and our commitment to public accountability, I wish to inform Nigerians of the interception of dangerous consignments that posed serious threats to public health and national security,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that the operation reflects the Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s border security and anti-crime policies, stressing that the intercepted drugs were concealed within legitimate consumer goods in an attempt to evade detection.
Among the illicit items uncovered were 1,301,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml), 9.3 million tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac, 12.6 million tablets of Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol (225mg), 3.5 million tablets of Trodol (5mg), 210,000 tablets of Hyergra (200mg), 717,360 tablets of Bisoveu, and 2.2 million tablets of Bassuka (50mg).
“These substances were hidden alongside 9,280 chilly cutters, 118 ceiling fans, 2,610 plumbing items, 2,268 Smart vehicle parts, 97,200 tins of tomato paste, and 700 cartons of cream,” the CGC revealed. “The concealment methods were sophisticated and clearly designed to exploit legitimate trade channels.”
Adeniyi warned that such unregulated pharmaceutical products could fuel addiction, compromise health outcomes, and fund organized criminal networks threatening Nigeria’s stability.
He attributed the success of the operation to heightened intelligence-led enforcement, enhanced surveillance on high-risk corridors, and effective collaboration with key security agencies, including NAFDAC, NDLEA, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and others under joint operational frameworks.
“Pursuant to Section 246 of the Customs Act 2023, the Port Harcourt Area II Command executed strategic interdictions demonstrating our operational efficiency and commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” Adeniyi stated.
He praised the leadership and officers of the Area II Command, led by Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, for their professionalism and vigilance.
“Our anti-smuggling drive aligns with the federal government’s vision of securing our borders and ensuring that no criminal enterprise is allowed to compromise the health or economy of this country,” the CGC said.
In his remarks, Comptroller Babandede expressed deep appreciation to the CGC for his leadership and support. He emphasized that the feat was achieved through inter-agency synergy, particularly with NAFDAC, NDLEA, and other key players.
“We cannot do this alone. The excellent relationship and collaboration we enjoy with sister agencies made this possible,” Babandede noted.
The event climaxed with the official handover of the seized containers to the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, who was present at the ceremony.
Also in attendance were senior Customs officials and representatives of other agencies, including the Police, Navy, Immigration, NDLEA, and key stakeholders from the freight and logistics sector.
