The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other regulatory agencies, has intensified efforts to rid the country of expired and illicit drugs through a large-scale destruction exercise.
The exercise took place on Friday, March 22, 2025, at a dumpsite in Epe, Lagos, where Assistant Comptroller of Customs Oluwaseun Oguntuase, representing the NCS, highlighted the dangers of expired drugs and the crucial role of enforcement in seizing them.
“Many of these drugs are expired, and expired drugs must not be allowed into the country. That is why they were seized,” Oguntuase stated, emphasized the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, in strengthening enforcement operations.
He revealed that the service had intercepted over 200 containers of contraband, stressing that Customs remains at the forefront of these operations. “It has given us a significant advantage over smugglers. We are now at the stage of destroying the seized items,” he added.
Representing the National Security Adviser, Ibrahim Suleiman underscored the collaborative efforts behind the destruction exercise. He explained that a multi-agency committee, including the NCS, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), was formed to ensure the safe disposal of illicit substances.
“The committee was convened to ensure that illicit drugs are removed from the ports and destroyed because the National Security Adviser is deeply concerned that these drugs which are a catalyst for many crimes and other social issues should not remain at the ports or other places where they are seized. They must be destroyed,” Suleiman stated.
He further disclosed that the first phase of the exercise took place in Lagos, covering seizures from Apapa Port, Tincan Island Port, FOU, and Lekki Port, while a similar operation was carried out in Port Harcourt before returning to Lagos for the second phase.
Speaking on behalf of the NDLEA, Deputy Commander Solomon Omotosho confirmed that some individuals linked to the seized drugs were already facing prosecution.
He warned importers of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals to desist from such illegal activities or face the full force of the law.
The collaborative effort between security agencies signaled a renewed commitment to safeguarding public health and national security by preventing dangerous substances from infiltrating Nigerian markets.
