As Customs Intercepts Narcotics, Drones, Expired Goods Worth ₦43.59bn
By George Ozalla
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has declared that Apapa Port will not be allowed to become a conduit for security threats, as the Service announced the interception of 13 containers containing narcotics, codeine syrup, restricted drones, used clothing and expired consumer products with a combined value of ₦43.59 billion.
Adeniyi made the declaration on Thursday, September 10, 2026, while briefing journalists at APM Terminals, Apapa Port, following a series of intelligence-led operations conducted by officers of the Apapa Area Command.
According to him, the seizures were the outcome of sustained intelligence gathering, cargo profiling, documentary verification and targeted physical examinations designed to identify suspicious consignments and prevent prohibited and security-sensitive goods from entering the country.
He explained that the nature of the intercepted consignments demonstrated the need for stronger coordination among agencies responsible for border security, public health and drug control, noting that criminal networks often exploit the same shipping channels and documentation processes to move different categories of prohibited goods.
“The seaport is where several of those pieces meet. Narcotics, controlled pharmaceuticals, restricted equipment and unsafe goods arrive in the same containers, through the same agents, under the same false declarations, and they are frequently handled by the same syndicates,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs chief disclosed that three of the intercepted containers contained a combined 15,245 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 7,624 kilogrammes.
Another container, he said, contained 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup comprising 169,998 bottles, which were concealed beneath household items in an attempt to evade detection.
The seizures also included 108 high-definition dual-camera drones imported without the required security approvals and end-user certificates.
Adeniyi said the interception of the drones was particularly significant because of the potential security implications associated with the unauthorised importation of sophisticated equipment capable of aerial surveillance and other applications.
He warned importers and their agents that restricted equipment must meet all applicable documentation and certification requirements before they could be cleared through the nation’s ports.
“Consignments of that character that arrive without them will be detained. The ports would not be allowed to become a route through which security-sensitive capabilities reach those working against the security of the country,” he said.
The CGC stressed that the Customs Service would continue to apply intelligence-led controls to cargoes entering the country, particularly where there were indications that consignments could pose threats to national security or public safety.
Beyond narcotics and security-sensitive equipment, the operation also uncovered large quantities of prohibited and unsafe consumer goods.
Three containers were found to contain 1,282 bales of used clothing, while five other containers were loaded with expired products, including tomato ketchup, antiseptic liquid, vaginal tablets and disposable nappies.
Adeniyi expressed concern over the importation of expired products intended for consumption or use on the human body, warning that such goods could expose unsuspecting members of the public to serious health risks.
He noted that the danger was particularly grave where products were intended for children and women, stressing that goods that had exceeded their approved shelf life had no place in the Nigerian market.
The CGC said the seized consignments would be handed over to the relevant government agencies for further investigation and appropriate action.
He commended officers and men of the Apapa Area Command for their vigilance and professional conduct, while also acknowledging the cooperation of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and international security partners.
According to him, the growing collaboration among the agencies had strengthened the capacity of the government to detect and disrupt illicit trade networks operating through the nation’s maritime gateways.
The Customs boss said the Service would continue to work with its domestic and international partners to improve information sharing, strengthen cargo examination and ensure that legitimate trade was not unnecessarily obstructed in the process of enforcing national laws.
He maintained that the objective of the enforcement drive was not to frustrate legitimate businesses but to ensure that Nigeria’s ports remained secure and that importers complied with the laws governing the entry of goods into the country.
Also speaking, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, said the seizures reflected the command’s commitment to intelligence-led enforcement and its responsibility to prevent prohibited, harmful and security-sensitive goods from entering Nigeria.
Oshoba stressed that cooperation among relevant government agencies had strengthened the fight against illicit drug trafficking and other forms of smuggling.
He assured legitimate importers and other stakeholders operating at Apapa Port that the command would continue to support lawful trade while maintaining strict enforcement against prohibited consignments.
