Customs Doubles Down On ‘Port To Jail’ Option for Smugglers

…As Adeniyi Showcase Apapa Command N10b Seizures, Including Arms, Drugs, Military Wears, Pharmaceuticals

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

In a sweeping crackdown that signals the beginning of the end for Nigeria’s smuggling syndicates, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of 16 containers loaded with prohibited items at the Apapa Command of the Service, including the arrest of key suspects.

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi who was speaking at the handover ceremony of  seizures by the Apapa Area Command on Monday, August 11, 2025 , made it clear that the era of impunity is over.

“We will run them out of business into jail,” he declared, sending a chilling warning to those who dare to traffic arms, expired drugs, and other dangerous goods into Nigeria.

CGC Adeniyi, right, speaking with newsmen during the briefing

The customs boss listed the seizures to include arms, ammunition, expired drugs, unregistered pharmaceuticals, and other contraband with a staggering Duty Paid Value of over ₦10.2 billion.

Adeniyi warned that as long as these merchant of death remains in business, the NCS will not back down on its options to continue to track, identify and arrest unscrupulous traders testing the will of the government by ensuring that henceforth, it would be a case of port to prison for anyone caught trading in evil merchandise.

Knocking the unscrupulous traders engaged in the evil and unwholesome business, Adeniyi condemned the smugglers as “merchants of death” who seek to flood Nigeria with harmful substances and weapons.

He however assured that operatives on the NCS who he said are alive to their responsibilities would continue to remain vigilant to ensure that these dangerous items are secured and prevented from leaving the ports.

“They failed to pull through,” he declared, emphasizing that the NCS remains resolute in its mission to protect the nation’s health, safety, and economy.

Given a further breakdown, he listed the seizures to include 2,401 cartons of codeine syrup, 1,100 cartons of expired chest and lungs tablets, 2,580 sacks of frozen chicken breast, 305 cartons of toothpaste without NAFDAC registration, clothing and slippers.

The others are 101kg of Canadian Loud cannabis, firearms including pump-action rifles, a Smith & Wesson pistol, and ammunition.

Adeniyi said two suspects linked to the arms and drugs have been arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation, adding that they will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enfrocement Agency (NDLEA) and Department of State Security (DSS) for prosecution, while others connected to the smuggled poultry products will face the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC).

“Today, we have seizures of fourteen (16) containers laden with prohibited drugs, expired medicament, expired food, and other items that run foul of our import prohibition guidelines, including arms and ammunition. These smuggled items have a harmful effect on the health and wellbeing of unsuspecting Nigerians who would have consumed them in addition to causing insecurity in the country.

“It is important to once again reiterate that the NCS is ever committed to rid Nigeria of illicit and harmful medical importation by breaking their supply chain as we ensure they don’t go beyond our seaports, airports and land borders into our commercial ecosystem.

“Despite our campaigns against these kinds of importation backed with seizures and arrests, the people I call merchants of death have chosen Apapa Port as an entry point for prohibited items. As usual, they failed to pull through.”

Continuing, he said: “We are resolute to confront these people who do not mean well for Nigerians and the economy by ensuring our entry points are not used for their unlawful acts. Our operatives in Apapa Port with the support of our internal intelligence and sister government agencies have 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.

“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. 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.”

The CGC also explained how the offensive items were identified and the suspects connected with them were arrested, via the use of non-intrusive inspection scanning system.

“Confirming a case of false declaration and attempting to circumvent our processes, the system bill of laden listed the items of import as 3Toyota Sienna and 1 Toyota Camry vehicles with the consignee as Babatunde Ogidiolu Samuel.

Consequently, two suspects, the agent, one Mr. Modi Azuka of No.1 Miracle 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.”

He emphasized the firm resolve of the NCS in line with its statutory duty not only to continue to police the nation’s economic gateway but to appeal to dubious traders to embrace legitimate trade or be ready to be run out of business with a further prospect of jail.

The CGC reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, citing recent joint operations with NAFDAC and NDLEA. “Our vow to protect the national economy and the well-being of Nigerians remains unshaken,” he said. “We will run them out of business into jail.”

Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu fsi, while explaining some the operations and seizures indicated that two containers of the questionable pharmaceutical products were picked yesterday, noting that the containers have been under the Command’s security radar.

This latest operation follows a series of high-profile seizures in recent time, underscoring the Customs Service’s intensified surveillance and intelligence-driven enforcement across Nigeria’s ports, borders, and airports.

The NCS urges all stakeholders and citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. As the CGC warned, “Perpetrators and their collaborators will not be spared by the long arms of the law.”

With this decisive action, the Nigeria Customs Service sends a clear message: smuggling in any shade will be met with full-scale resistance. The battle for Nigeria’s safety and economic integrity is on and the NCS is leading the charge.