Customs Boss Reiterates Ban On Pharmaceutical Containers’ Transfers To Bonded Terminals

BY FUNMI ALUKO

In a decisive move to reinforce Nigeria’s borders against illicit trade, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the recent halt to the transfer of imported pharmaceuticals boxes to bonded terminals, nationwide.

The decision follows alarming cases of abuse by importers, prompting Customs to tighten control and ensure all pharmaceutical imports are processed strictly within designated ports.

Speaking in Lagos at the Apapa Area Command on Monday, Adeniyi unveiled a major anti-smuggling operation by the Command that led to the seizure of 16 containers packed with contraband—including expired medicines, hard drugs, arms, ammunition, and banned poultry products valued at over ₦10 billion.

The CGC emphasized that the NCS has adopted a zero-tolerance stance against smuggling, vowing to dismantle criminal networks attempting to turn Nigeria into a dumping ground for dangerous imports.“

“We will pursue these criminal networks, network for network until they are brought to justice. Nigeria will not be a dumping ground,” Adeniyi declared.

He listed the seizures to include 16 containers of Expired pharmaceuticals and unregistered medicaments, Canadian marijuana (“Colorado Loud”) weighing 101k, a pump-action rifle and cartridges, a Smith & Wesson pistol with ammunition, 2 containers of frozen poultry products, and expired food products (margarine).

Others are prohibited used clothing and assortment of counterfeit toothpastes.

The CGC also disclosed that while 5 suspects arrested in connection with some of the seizures, he explained that 3 are being remanded in Ikoyi Prison with 2 already granted administrative bails.

Adeniyi stressed that the abuse of bonded terminal privileges by unscrupulous importers has forced Customs to take a firm stand, reaffirming that pharmaceutical imports will henceforth be processed only at approved ports to prevent diversion and ensure regulatory compliance.

“Customs licensed the bonded terminals and there are obligations.  While some have complied with the rules, many have not. And because they are not meeting their obligations, we have stopped taking pharmaceuticals there. We will not compromise national safety,” he said.

Speaking further, the CGC explained that some of the operation was the result of weeks of intelligence gathering via its international partners and collaboration with agencies like National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency of Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC).

He also announced plans to deepen international cooperation under the Customs-to-Customs Cooperation framework to track and dismantle smuggling syndicates.

“As these criminal elements collaborate across borders, we too will collaborate—locally and globally—to crush their operations”.

Reiterating the Service’s unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy and the public health he said, “We will continue to act decisively against smugglers and uphold its mandate with zero tolerance for illegal trade.”

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.