The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)) has intercepted seven containers of contrabands, including cutlasses, expired drugs, and frozen chicken, worth approximately N292.2 million.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, paraded the seized items at the Apapa Port complex, stating that the importation of these goods violates the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
The seized items include:
– 2x40ft containers carrying 12,000 pieces of cutlass and machete
– 2x40ft containers carrying 4,129 packages of frozen chicken
– 1x40ft container carrying 368 jumbo bales of used second-hand clothing
– 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceuticals
The CAC noted that the cutlass and machetes were imported from China, the expired drugs from India, and the frozen chicken from Turkiye. Olomu attributed the seizures to a combination of intelligence and diligent enforcement, ensuring that all consignments undergo proper examination before exiting the Apapa Port.
Comptroller reaffirmed that the Command is committed to sustaining trade facilitation, maximum revenue collection, and enforcing extant laws against false declaration, concealment, under-declaration, and under-valuation.
He reassured that the command will also ensure compliance with requirements from regulatory agencies like NAFDAC and ONSA.
Olomu however warned against smuggling prohibited items and stated that only consignments that meet compliance standards will be allowed to pass through the port.
He said that the seized items will be handed over to appropriate agencies for further investigation and regulatory action.
