The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted and handed over more than 580,000 unregistered pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to prevent unsafe medicines from reaching consumers.
The handover ceremony took place Friday at the Customs House, Bompai, Kano.
Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, said the consignments were intercepted on June 9, 2026, at the SAHCO Shed of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport following intelligence-driven operations by Command officers.
A joint examination by NCS and NAFDAC officials later confirmed that the products lacked mandatory registration and certification required for importation and distribution in Nigeria.
DC Adamu disclosed that the seizure comprised: 575,440 tablets of various medicaments; 5,415 injections; 1,075 bottles of eye drops and 243 inhaler canisters.
“The interception underscores the commitment of the NCS to protecting public health and strengthening collaboration with regulatory agencies in combating the influx of illicit and uncertified pharmaceutical products into the country,” he said.
“The products were found to be unregistered and therefore not approved for circulation in Nigeria. Their interception is part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of Nigerians.”
The Ag. CAC warned importers and distributors involved in illegal importation of pharmaceutical products to desist, stressing that the Command would intensify surveillance and enforcement against violators.
Receiving the items, Assistant Director, Ports Inspection Directorate, NAFDAC Kano, Azik Kanadi, applauded Customs for the interception, calling it “a significant step towards protecting citizens from potentially harmful pharmaceutical products.”
Kanadi warned importers against bringing unregistered medicines into the country, noting that drugs without regulatory evaluation pose serious health risks.
“NAFDAC will remain committed to working closely with Customs and other relevant agencies to prevent the circulation of unsafe medicines and ensure that only approved pharmaceutical products are available in the Nigerian market,” he reiterated.
