The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other regulatory agencies, has intensified efforts to rid the country of expired and illicit drugs through a large-scale destruction exercise.
Speaking at the dumpsite in Epe on Friday, 22 March 2025, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Oluwaseun Oguntuase, who represented the service, emphasised the dangers of expired drugs and the role of the enforcement arm of the service in seizing them.
“Many of these drugs are expired, and expired drugs must not be allowed into the country. That is why they were seized,” Oguntuase stated.
He praised the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, for strengthening enforcement operations, leading to the interception of over 200 containers of contraband. “It has given us a significant advantage over the smugglers. We have intercepted over 200 containers, and Customs is at the forefront of these operations. We are now at the stage of destroying the seized items.”
Representing the National Security Adviser, Ibrahim Suleiman highlighted the coordinated efforts behind the exercise, noting that a multi-agency committee comprising the Nigeria Customs Service, NDLEA, and NAFDAC ensured the safe disposal of these illicit substances.
“The committee was convened to ensure that illicit drugs are removed from the ports and destroyed because the National Security Adviser is deeply concerned that these drugs— which are a catalyst for many crimes and other social issues—should not remain at the ports or other places where they are seized. They must be destroyed,” Suleiman stated.
He noted that the first phase of the destruction exercise took place in Lagos, covering seizures from Apapa Port, Tincan Island Port, FOU, and Lekki Port. The committee also conducted similar operations in Port Harcourt before returning to Lagos for the second phase.
Speaking on behalf of the NDLEA, DC Solomon Omotosho confirmed that some individuals linked to the seized drugs were already facing prosecution.
He warned importers of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals to desist from such acts or face the full force of the law on illegal importation.
