The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Port Command, has transferred three containers of expired pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as part of efforts to curb the circulation of illicit and dangerous drugs in the country.
The formal handover took place on Friday in Lagos, where the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, said the action underscored the service’s commitment to safeguarding public health and national security.
According to Onyeka, the seized items comprised expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products intercepted during routine cargo examinations at the port.
“Today marks the formal handover of three 20-foot containers of expired pharmaceutical products to NAFDAC for appropriate regulatory action,” he said.
“This achievement reflects our sustained anti-smuggling drive aimed at protecting public health and national security.”
He explained that two of the containers, with identification numbers PONU031958/6 and MSKU711656/0, were found to contain expired Tramadol tablets. One container held 86 cartons of Vingil Tramadol BP 50mg, while the second contained 250 cartons of the same product.
The third container, numbered MSKU413519/1, was discovered to contain 370 cartons of expired Diclofenac Sodium BP 50mg tablets without a valid NAFDAC registration number.
“This consignment is illegal and dangerous for public consumption,” Onyeka warned.
“Allowing such products into the market poses a serious risk to public health.”
He noted that the Tincan Island Command had intensified cargo examination processes, intelligence gathering, and enforcement operations to intercept prohibited, falsely declared, and harmful goods.
“The command proactively intercepts controlled pharmaceuticals, narcotics, arms, ammunition, and other items that threaten public safety and economic stability,” he said.
Onyeka added that the command remained focused on balancing strict enforcement with trade facilitation, in line with the core mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“These achievements are the result of discipline, integrity, and strong inter-agency collaboration,” he stated.
He commended NAFDAC for its cooperation, stressing that continued synergy between both agencies was crucial to preventing fake, substandard, and expired drugs from reaching the public.
Receiving the consignment, NAFDAC’s Chief Regulatory Officer, Mr Kareem Adekunle, praised Customs for its vigilance and partnership, assuring that the seized drugs would be destroyed.
“The expired pharmaceutical products will be disposed of by burning, in line with regulatory procedures,” Adekunle said.
“We commend the Nigeria Customs Service for this exemplary collaboration and pledge our continued partnership to protect the health of Nigerians.”
The Customs controller also praised officers of the command for their dedication and thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for reforms and leadership that have strengthened enforcement operations nationwide.
