In a bold assertion of regulatory oversight and national security enforcement, the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has shut down three bonded terminals and seized 27 containers of contraband goods valued at over ₦9.2 billion in the first half of 2025.
The crackdown—described as one of the most significant enforcement actions in recent years—comes as the command ramps up efforts to combat illicit trade, protect public health, and uphold Nigeria’s commitments under global trade and environmental treaties.
At a press briefing in Lagos, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller (CAC) for Apapa, disclosed that one of the sealed terminals is already being prosecuted, while investigations continue into the activities of the other two.
“Let this be a clear message: Apapa Customs is staffed by eagle-eyed officers. We will not hesitate to seal or prosecute any terminal involved in regulatory infractions,” Olomu warned.
Inside the Multi-Billion Naira Seizures
Between January and June 2025, the command’s intelligence-led operations resulted in the interception of 27 containers loaded with smuggled, dangerous, or misdeclared goods. The seizures include:
- 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals
- 2 containers of codeine syrup
- 4 containers of used clothing
- 2 containers of stolen vehicles
- Expired margarine, wild animal skins, and matches imported without an End User Certificate (EUC)
These items, according to Olomu, pose significant threats to public health, local industry, and national security.
“This is not just about revenue collection. We are gatekeepers of Nigeria’s economic integrity and citizens’ well-being. Trade facilitation will never come at the expense of public safety,” he asserted.
Health, Environment, and National Security in Focus
Olomu further explained that many of the seized pharmaceuticals and food items are unregistered and dangerous. Some violated international conventions like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), especially the wild animal skin trafficking.
One notable interception involved a container of matches imported without the mandatory End User Certificate (EUC)—a serious violation of national security protocols, given the product’s dual-use nature.
Revenue Generation and Compliance Mandate
Beyond seizures, the Apapa Command generated ₦1.37 billion in revenue for the Federal Government within the review period. This performance, according to Olomu, reflects the renewed operational focus under the Comptroller-General of Customs, who has emphasized blocking revenue leakages, issuing demand notices (DNs), and ensuring maximum compliance.
“Our officers have been directed to double down on trade intelligence, apply DNs where appropriate, and maintain 100% compliance with risk management protocols,” Olomu stated.
Stakeholder Synergy: Customs, NDLEA, NAFDAC Speak Out
The enforcement success was bolstered by inter-agency collaboration, particularly with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
According to Buba Wakawa, NDLEA’s Strategic Commander in Apapa, many drug smugglers use fake identities and companies, making prosecution complex.
“We are tracing these illicit imports using the National Identification Number (NIN). Fake names on bills of lading lead nowhere,” Wakawa explained.
Dr. Olakunle Olaniyan, Director of Ports Inspectorate at NAFDAC, labelled the smugglers “economic saboteurs” and called for greater public vigilance.
“Medicines are for healing—not for crime. Smuggling drugs compromises public health and the entire pharmaceutical ecosystem,” he cautioned.
Freight Forwarders Urge Support for New Cargo Platform
Veteran freight forwarder, Alhaji Abdul Fatai Babajide, applauded Customs’ vigilance but urged continuous engagement with stakeholders, especially on “B’odogwu”, the recently introduced cargo processing platform.
“We’ve seen results. But let’s keep the dialogue open, especially as we navigate technical hitches on the new digital platform,” Babajide said.
BRANDECONOMY Analysis: A New Era of Maritime Enforcement
The Apapa Command’s latest actions signal a hard pivot toward zero tolerance for regulatory breaches in Nigeria’s most strategic port. As Apapa processes a large share of the nation’s imports, infractions there reverberate across Nigeria’s entire trade and supply chain ecosystem.
With illicit drugs, unregistered pharmaceuticals, and wildlife smuggling increasingly tied to global criminal syndicates, Nigeria’s maritime enforcement is now as much a matter of economic governance as it is national security.
Going forward, analysts expect more pressure on bonded terminal operators to invest in compliance systems, while government may deepen digital cargo tracking and inter-agency coordination to curb smuggling upstream.
