The Apapa command of Nigeria Customs Service under the uncompromising leadership of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD, has intercepted two Lexus jeeps stolen from Canada among other seizures. The two jeeps were concealed in a Container No.MRKU 0904594(40 FT).
The jeeps, a 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chassis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chassis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 were falsely declared as food items.
Addressing a section of the media on Thursday in Apapa, Lagos headquarters of the command, the thorough-bred controller noted that six containers laden with prohibited items mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, used clothing and the two cars illegally imported were uncovered.
He disclosed that the seizures are worth a totallyDPV :N3,247,427,969.00 (Three billion,Two hundred and forty-seven million, Four hundred and twenty-seven thousand Nine hundred and sixty-nine naira).
The controller broke down the seizures into three categories with category 1 being Container No.SUDU 8685733(40FT) which was found to contain 1,698 of RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet. Another was Container No.MRSU 4846204(40FT) found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat. The two seizures were said to have a street value of N2,710,400,000.00(Two billion,seven hundred and ten million,four hundred thousand naira only).
Comptroller Olomu revealed that these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to him, Category 2 were Container No.ONEU 1153150(40 FT) found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks & 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as truck tyres and Container No.MRSU 3258823(40 FT) 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.
Category 3 were the container carrying the two stolen Lexus Jeeps and container No.SEKU 4716830(40 FT) found to contain 390 bales of used clothing which contravenes the import prohibition law.
Comptroller Olomu noted that the seizures were fallouts of uncompromising anti-smuggling activities of the command, warning that the command will not sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation, saying that under his watch and with the inspiring guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, the command remain committed to its mandate.
He emphasized that while the command will facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, it owes the Nigerian people the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing.
In the controller’s words: “As officers at the nation’s largest, busiest and premier port, we are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of merchant of death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances like the ones I shall be showing you today. We also intercepted two cars stolen from Canada that was attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria like I mentioned earlier on. 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. So far, three suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.”
He announced that having crossed the one trillion naira collection before the end of the fifth month, the command has so far generated a total of N1,094 trillion as at 21 May 2025.
“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we’ve 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. For instance, in October 2024, we collected #18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of N18.9 billion and on 20 May, 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of N18.919 billion. All these were groundbreaking daily collections,” he stressed.
The controller used the briefing to warn that Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity and that officers are very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.