Apapa Customs seize Canadian stolen cars, containers fill with fake pharmaceuticals
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Command has intercepted two stolen vehicles from Canada and six containers carrying prohibited medical supplies imported from India.
The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Babatunde Olomu disclosed that the seizures reinforces its commitment to cracking down on illegal imports and smuggling activities.
Speaking on Thursday, He stated, “We intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that was attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria. In addition to contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, these imported containers with prohibited medical items also violate the World Customs Organization’s Operation Stop IV – which is a global enforcement operation against trafficking of counterfeit, substandard and unauthorized medical supplies.”
Olomu confirmed that three suspects linked to the seizures have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation, promising that they will face the full weight of the law.
He stated that the command’s remarkable fiscal achievement has seen it surpassed the one trillion-naira revenue collection mark before the end of May.
As of May 21, 2025, the command has generated a total of N1.094 trillion, a figure that underscores its efficiency and dedication.
“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we have done before, we are ready to do better this year
Our chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for us and attests to our capacity to do more.”
He thereby cited record-breaking daily collections, including N18.2 billion in October 2024, N18.9 billion on March 14, 2025, and a recent N18.919 billion on May 20, 2025.
Olomu categorize the items thus: “Category 1 – Container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT) was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet.
“Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT) was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat. The two seizures have a street value of N2,710,400.00.
“Interestingly, these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The second category he said was “Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 FT) found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks & 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as truck tyres.
“Container No. MRSU 3258823 (40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole, for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
According to him, “In category 3, container No. MRKU 0904594 (40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada. A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items.
“While container No. SEKU 4716830 (40 FT) was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing which contravenes the import prohibition law.”
The Area Comptroller warned that “Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity and our officers are very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.”
In his remark, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Assistant Controller General and Commander of Apapa Strategic Command, Buba Wakawa, commended the strong collaboration between NDLEA and Nigerian Customs in combating criminal activities at the ports.
Wakawa said, “We are here receiving containers from the customs. That is another manifestation of the synergy that exists between the sister secret agencies together will make the port very unconditional for any criminal activities.”
He underscored that the partnership between NDLEA and Customs is crucial in making Nigerian ports secure and impenetrable to criminal enterprises, stressing, “These two containers that we see is a product of international collaboration.
What happened was that these criminals have devised different ways to try to avoid protection and international collaboration, we have come to prove to them that it is impossible for them to penetrate their purpose between Nigeria stop the manufacture of coding.”
Wakawa further emphasised the importance of international cooperation and intelligence sharing in thwarting attempts by criminals to smuggle illicit substances into Nigeria.
The seized containers, he noted, are evidence of the ongoing efforts to disrupt sophisticated smuggling networks that exploit foreign companies and neighboring countries to evade detection.
Lagos Commissioner of Police praised the Apapa Customs and the NDLEA for the accomplishments.
The Commissioner emphasised the importance of their collaborative efforts in combating crime.
In his remarks, the Commissioner stated, “It’s a good thing that you gather here today for the achievements recorded by the Customs Service and the NDLEA. We as the police give more with whatever thing they do, and it’s going to be a message to the outside world that’s a no courier for criminal activities.”
