Nigeria Customs Service hands over 25 containers of confiscated pharmaceuticals to NAFDAC

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially handed over 25 containers filled with confiscated pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in what has been described as one of the largest coordinated anti-smuggling operations involving controlled and unregistered drugs in recent years.

The handover ceremony took place at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, where top officials from both agencies gathered to witness the transfer of the seized consignments. The containers, which were intercepted by customs officers during routine checks and intelligence-driven operations, were found to contain a range of unregistered, banned, and improperly labeled drugs, including antibiotics, analgesics, and other controlled substances.

According to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the operation is part of the Service’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on illicit pharmaceutical imports and prevent dangerous substances from infiltrating the Nigerian market. He noted that the interception of these drugs was made possible through improved surveillance, inter-agency cooperation, and enhanced profiling techniques applied by customs officers at various ports.

“These 25 containers were not only undeclared or wrongly declared, but many of the items were pharmaceutical products that did not have proper documentation, lacked NAFDAC registration numbers, and posed serious risks to public health,” Adeniyi explained. “Some of them have been identified as fake or substandard, while others are suspected to be expired or smuggled in to avoid regulatory scrutiny.”

He reiterated that the Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to safeguarding the health and safety of Nigerians by ensuring that only legitimate, quality-approved goods are allowed into the country. He also warned importers and freight agents that the NCS would continue to apply strict sanctions against those found guilty of importing harmful or unauthorized products.

In his remarks, NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and timely action. She stated that the seizure and handover of the containers underscore the importance of strong institutional collaboration in the fight against fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria.

“This is a major breakthrough in our collective war against the importation of drugs that are not approved for use in Nigeria,” Prof. Adeyeye said. “What we are seeing today is a direct threat to the lives of our citizens. Many of these products bypassed due process and quality assurance checks, and as such, pose grave dangers if allowed into circulation.”

She further disclosed that NAFDAC would immediately commence laboratory testing and forensic investigation of the contents of the containers to determine the origin, composition, and potential toxicity of the seized drugs. She assured the public that the agency would ensure that those behind the illicit consignments are traced and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

According to NAFDAC, the illicit drug trade has contributed significantly to the rise in drug resistance, treatment failures, and adverse health outcomes in Nigeria. The agency believes that the continued influx of counterfeit and substandard medicines remains a public health emergency that requires a coordinated national response.

The seizure is part of a broader effort by Nigerian authorities to clean up the pharmaceutical importation process and block loopholes in the supply chain. Both NAFDAC and the NCS have pledged to work more closely together by sharing intelligence, conducting joint operations, and strengthening border controls.

Experts at the event commended the joint action, describing it as a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to regulatory enforcement and public safety. They also called for increased investment in port scanning technologies, digital documentation systems, and staff training to better detect and respond to such threats in the future.

Several stakeholders from the health, trade, and security sectors were present at the ceremony, including representatives from the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Health. They urged the government to adopt stricter penalties for offenders and to ensure that the seized items are disposed of safely to prevent them from re-entering the black market.

Some of the confiscated containers reportedly originated from Asia and the Middle East and were disguised as other goods in a bid to evade detection. Customs officials confirmed that investigations are ongoing to uncover the importers behind the shipment and whether there are domestic collaborators involved in the smuggling network.

This development comes amid rising concerns over the availability of counterfeit and dangerous medicines across Nigerian markets. NAFDAC continues to warn consumers against purchasing drugs from unauthorized vendors or unregulated outlets, emphasizing the importance of sourcing medicines from licensed pharmacies and healthcare facilities.

The successful interception and transfer of these 25 containers marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to improve drug safety and protect public health. It also sets a precedent for future collaborations between enforcement and regulatory agencies in the country. Both the Nigeria Customs Service and NAFDAC affirmed their readiness to intensify their operations, close gaps in enforcement, and bring offenders to justice.