In a major victory for public health, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Port Harcourt Area I Command has successfully intercepted and confiscated a massive shipment of expired pharmaceutical products valued at over N59 million. The dangerous cargo has been officially transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure it does not reach unsuspecting consumers.
A Joint Effort to Protect Public Health
The handover ceremony, which took place at the Command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, highlights the active inter-agency collaboration existing within Nigeria’s security and regulatory framework. Representatives from key institutions, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Services (DSS), freight forwarding associations, and various industry stakeholders, witnessed the transfer of the illicit goods.
According to Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, the Customs Area Controller for the Port Harcourt Area I Command, the expired medications were detected during a meticulous joint cargo examination. This strategic operation was conducted by Customs officers in close coordination with NAFDAC and other allied border security agencies.
Preventing Severe Health Consequences
Comptroller Atuluku emphasized that allowing these expired medicines to enter Nigerian markets could have triggered a severe healthcare crisis. She noted that the timely interception averted serious consequences, pointing out that expired medications carry extreme health risks, including:
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Drug toxicity and chemical poisoning
- Widespread treatment failure
The seized consignment, consisting of multiple cartons of expired pharmaceuticals with a Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value exceeding N59 million, highlights the ongoing threat posed by unscrupulous traders. Atuluku reiterated the Command’s unwavering resolve to protect Nigeria’s borders from becoming a dumping ground for illicit, substandard, and prohibited goods.
Commitment to Border Security
The Customs chief also expressed deep appreciation for the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, praising his leadership for prioritizing intelligence-driven operations and fostering synergy among government regulatory bodies.
Upon receiving the seized items on behalf of NAFDAC, Pharm. Adepoju Raufu, the Deputy Director of the Port Inspection Directorate, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for their vigilance. He noted that this decisive action successfully protected Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain from hazardous and compromised products.