CGC Adeniyi, Compt Olomu, their eagle-eyes on economic saboteurs ….Unveils N1.8bn seizures of expired drugs, other items at Apapa port

CGC Adeniyi, Compt Olomu, their eagle-eyes on economic saboteurs
….Unveils N1.8bn seizures of expired drugs, other items at Apapa port

…As CGC lauds Compt Olomu on exceptional performance 

The Apapa Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, was the beehive of activities in the early hours of today, Thursday, August 15, 2024, as the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, unveiled mind-boggling seizures of expired and controlled pharmaceutical products, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N1.8 billion.

Impressively, the swift intervention by Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command and his team in tracking these deadly cargoes at the seaport has saved the lives of innocent Nigerians from consuming such expired pharmaceutical products, capable of causing serious health hazards to the human body.

Their uncompromising enforcement approach in seizing the deadly drugs, which prevented such items from getting into the local market, is also a clear testament of their dogged determination to protect the health of Nigerians; especially as some of the drugs had expired more than four months ago.

Speaking while showcasing the seizures, CGC Adeniyi, who moved side-by-side Compt Olomu at Apapa port, expressed strong displeasure on activities of illicit traders, bringing offensive items into the country through the back-door.

The CGC frowned :  “I am here to present seizures made by our officers at Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.8 billion.

“These items, if allowed to exit the ports, would undermine the security of our dear nation by influencing the behaviour of individuals involved in criminal activities, often fueled by illicit drugs such as tramadol”.

He went on : “Aside from being expired, some of the seized drugs were imported without undergoing necessary regulatory requirements, such as obtaining approval from National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“We also have containers that were seized due to false declarations, ostensibly to evade duty payments, which amounts to smuggling. In total, 12 containers have been seized. These importations are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

“One of the seized containers, 1x40ft container with box number SEGU4339917, was declared to contain baclofen tablets, metoprolol succinate, atenolol gloves, losartan potassium, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin calcium, esomeprazole magnesium, diclofenac sodium topical gel, valsartan tablets, losartan potassium, and timolol maleate.

“But upon examination, the container was found to be laden with daily health immune supplements that expired in July this year; acyclovir capsules that expired in April 2024; valsartan tablets (320mg and 160mg) that expired in June 2024; prednisone tablets (USP 10mg) that expired in June 2024; losartan potassium tablets (100mg) that expired in June 2024; major aspirin low-dose pain reliever (81mg) that expired in June 2024; vitamin D supplements that expired in June 2024; magnesium oxide tablets (420mg) that expired in June 2024; diclofenac sodium topical gel expiring in November 2024; oral rehydration solution mix that expired in July 2024; unimap multiple micronutrient supplements expiring in December 2025, and other regulated medical items”.

The CGC informed : “In this examined container, as in many others seized by Apapa Command, the expired and unexpired medicaments did not carry the required NAFDAC number.

“In addition to the expired pharmaceutical products, another 20ft container (No. DFSU 1362498) was found to contain cartons of Royal Tramadol (225mg) concealed with expired cartons of Really Extra analgesic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory tablets without NAFDAC number.

” Another 20ft container (No. PCIU 1934537) was found to contain rolls of tramadol (225mg) concealed with expired cartons of Zokomol and Diclofenac pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number.

” Similarly, a 20ft container (No. CAIU 2167874) was found to contain cartons of tramadol (100mg) concealed with expired cartons of pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC number.

“Additionally, a 40ft container (No. SEGU 6326800) was found to contain cartons of codeine concealed with cartons of expired pharmaceutical products and cartons of brushes.

” A 1x40ft container (No. DFSU 7320205) was found to contain cartons of codeine and tramadol concealed with expired Diacare antidiarrheal and Really Extra pain reliever pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC number. Another 40ft container (No. TCKU 6880985) was found to contain cartons of expired pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number.”

He continued : ” In addition to the pharmaceutical products, there were two 40ft containers (Nos. CAUU 5699055 and SUAN 8691124) with 15,540 and 12,000 cutlasses and machetes, respectively. A total of 27,540 cutlasses and machetes were found in the two containers.”

Speaking further, the Customs Boss gave Compt Olomu and his enforcement team special recognition for their steadfastness, assiduousness and vigilance in carrying out their duties, especially at a place like the seaport.

He enthused :  “I want to specially commend Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, and the officers working with him for this anti-smuggling exploit.
The Apapa Command handles the highest volume of trade for NCS, collects the highest revenue, and is therefore saddled with a higher degree of expectation from the management of the Service and the government. I urge them to maintain this level of performance.

“Let me advise our port users to embrace only legitimate trade. NCS, under my leadership, is fully committed to its responsibilities in detecting all forms of concealments.”

With massive seizures of offensive items displayed in the open before Journalists, everyone at the scene applauded the Customs team for exceptional performance.
Certainly, the eagle-eyes of CGC Adeniyi and his subordinates are trailing economic saboteurs.