The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has restated its zero tolerance for illegal and substandard imports following the interception of 16 containers of prohibited goods valued at over ₦10 billion.
Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this known during a press briefing at the Apapa Area Command, Lagos, on Monday, 11 August 2025, attended by representatives of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Adeniyi said the seizures were achieved through sustained, intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting Nigerians from harmful imports and upholding trade regulations.
“Today, we have seizures of 16 containers laden with prohibited drugs, expired medication, expired food, and other items that run foul of our import prohibition guidelines, including arms and ammunition. These smuggled items have a harmful effect on the health and well-being of unsuspecting Nigerians, in addition to causing insecurity in the country,” he stated.
He revealed that one container, initially cleared after inspection, was re-examined based on intelligence and found to contain 202 cans of Colorado Loud, a Canadian hard drug weighing 101kg. Further checks uncovered arms and ammunition, including two pump-action rifles, 25 ammunition cartridges, one pistol with 55 rounds, and accessories.
The consignment was traced to a Lagos resident, Babatunde Ogidiolu. Other intercepted items included seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments, three containers of expired food items, mainly margarine, and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing.
Adeniyi assured that the NCS would continue to work with partner agencies to prevent harmful and counterfeit products from entering Nigerian markets.
Director of NCCSALW South-West Zone, CP Alamutu Abiodun (Rtd), commended the NCS for its vigilance, noted that the seizure of arms and ammunition would greatly aid efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria.
