Nigeria Customs Service Seizes ₦20.5 Billion Worth Of Illicit Drugs At Onne Port.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dealt a significant blow to illegal drug trafficking with the seizure of 16 containers containing illicit pharmaceutical products and other prohibited goods valued at over ₦20.5 billion at Onne Port in Rivers State. The operation, conducted in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), underscores the NCS’s commitment to safeguarding public health and national security.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, announced the seizure during a handover ceremony to NAFDAC at the Area II Command warehouse in Onne. The intercepted containers held a range of unregistered and expired pharmaceuticals, including 1,301,000 bottles of 100ml codeine syrup, 9,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac, and 12,600,000 tablets of Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol, among others. These substances were concealed within legitimate consumer goods such as chilly cutters, ceiling fans, and tomato paste to evade detection. “The potential impact of these illicit pharmaceuticals on public health cannot be overstated,” Adeniyi said, highlighting risks such as drug addiction and compromised treatment outcomes.
The operation reflects a strengthened partnership between the NCS and NAFDAC, following a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding aimed at curbing the influx of fake and substandard medical products. Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General, praised the collaboration, stating, “This handover is a testament to our shared commitment to protecting Nigerians from harmful substances.” She noted that the seized drugs would undergo thorough analysis to confirm their nature and origin, with destruction planned for unwholesome items.
Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, Customs Area II Command Controller at Onne, credited the success to intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency cooperation with the NDLEA and the Department of State Services (DSS). He revealed that the containers were intercepted during routine inspections, showcasing the vigilance of NCS officers. “Our efforts are geared towards securing the health and safety of our citizens while upholding the integrity of our nation’s entry points,” Babandede said.
The seizure aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to combat transnational organised crime and enhance border security. Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s dedication to this agenda, noting that the Onne Command had also generated ₦634 billion in revenue in December 2024, surpassing its annual target. Additionally, the command facilitated the export of 2.7 million metric tonnes of agricultural products and minerals, valued at $952.98 million, contributing to Nigeria’s economic diversification.
This latest operation follows a series of successful anti-smuggling efforts at Onne Port, including the seizure of 20 containers worth ₦10.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025. The NCS’s ongoing crackdown on illicit trade continues to send a strong message to smugglers, with Adeniyi vowing to intensify scrutiny at high-risk ports. “We will ensure that those who seek to harm our nation face the full weight of the law,” he declared, as stakeholders commended the service’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s borders and its people.
