The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant seizure of contraband goods worth N921 billion in the first quarter of 2025, comprising 11 seizures of unregistered pharmaceutical products, expired food items, and controlled technology.
The Comptroller General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, warned that importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios, combining pharmaceuticals, food items, and controlled technology in systematic shipments.
Key Highlights:
Seizure Details*: The seizures include five units of 40-foot containers, two units of 20-foot containers, and four additional seizures of loosely concealed contraband items.
Diversification Tactics*: Adeniyi noted that importers are adopting sophisticated tactics, including strategic country of origin selection and organized networks with capabilities to evade border security.
Public Health Risk*: The seized items pose a significant risk to public health, with unregistered pharmaceutical products and expired food items potentially causing morbidity and mortality.
Quotes:
Adewale Adeniyi*: “Our seizures today revealed that importers are diversifying their contraband portfolios combining pharmaceuticals, food items and control technology in systematic shipments.”
Intensified Surveillance*: “We have intensified surveillance across unauthorized points of entries, specifically seaports, airports and approved land borders.”
Implications:
The NCS’s seizure of contraband goods worth N921 billion highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between regulatory agencies to protect public health and prevent organized crime.
