Customs block N59m expired drugs from Nigerian markets

By Damilola Aina

The Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt Area I Command, has handed over a consignment of expired pharmaceutical products with a Cost, Insurance and Freight value of over N59m to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, saying the seizure prevented dangerous medicines from reaching unsuspecting Nigerians.

The handover, according to a statement issued by the service on Wednesday, took place at the Command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt and was witnessed by representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Department of State Services, other security agencies, freight forwarding associations and industry stakeholders.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt Area I Command, on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, formally handed over a consignment of intercepted expired medicaments to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control at the Command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

“The handover ceremony, which underscores the strong inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding public health, was attended by representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Department of State Services, other security agencies, freight forwarding associations, and stakeholders.”

Speaking during the ceremony, the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area I Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, said the seizure underscored the Command’s determination to stop harmful and prohibited pharmaceutical products from entering the Nigerian market.

She disclosed that the expired medicaments were intercepted during a joint cargo examination conducted by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service in collaboration with NAFDAC and other relevant government agencies.

Atuluku said, “The seizure was a clear demonstration of the Command’s commitment to preventing harmful and prohibited pharmaceutical products from finding their way into Nigerian markets. The expired medicaments were intercepted during a joint examination conducted by officers of the Command in collaboration with NAFDAC and other relevant agencies.”

She added, “The consignment contained several cartons of expired pharmaceutical products with a Cost, Insurance and Freight value of over N59m.”

The Customs boss warned that allowing expired medicines into circulation could have posed severe health consequences for millions of Nigerians.

According to her, “The interception prevented what could have resulted in serious public health consequences, as expired medicines pose significant health risks, including treatment failure, drug toxicity and antimicrobial resistance.”

Reaffirming the Service’s commitment to protecting the nation’s borders, Atuluku said the Command would sustain intelligence-driven enforcement operations against smugglers of prohibited goods.

She stated, “The Nigeria Customs Service will remain resolute in protecting the nation’s borders against the importation of expired, substandard, falsified, and prohibited goods. We remain committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians through effective border enforcement and collaboration with sister agencies.”

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The Comptroller also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for supporting intelligence-led operations and strengthening inter-agency cooperation.

She said, “I sincerely appreciate the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for his unwavering support, intelligence-driven enforcement initiatives, and commitment to strengthening collaboration among government agencies.”

Receiving the seized items on behalf of NAFDAC, the agency’s Deputy Director of the Port Inspection Directorate, Pharm. Adepoju Raufu, praised the Customs Service for preventing the expired drugs from entering the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.

He assured that the agency would immediately commence the necessary regulatory procedures to ensure the safe disposal of the expired medications in accordance with established laws and guidelines.

Also speaking, the Zonal Director, NAFDAC South South Zone, Pharm. Chukwuma Oligbu, described the handover as another testament to the excellent working relationship between NAFDAC and the Nigeria Customs Service.

He lauded the leadership of Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku and the officers of Port Harcourt Area I Command for their professionalism, diligence and commitment to public safety, while calling for continued collaboration among all security and regulatory agencies to combat the importation of unsafe pharmaceutical products into the country.

The ceremony ended with the formal transfer of the intercepted expired medicaments and relevant documents from the Nigeria Customs Service to NAFDAC for further regulatory action and eventual destruction in line with statutory provisions.

The Nigeria Customs Service and NAFDAC have intensified collaboration in recent years to curb the importation of counterfeit, substandard, falsified and expired pharmaceutical products through the nation’s seaports, airports and land borders. Joint cargo examinations, intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement operations have become key strategies in preventing unsafe medicines from entering the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.

Health experts have consistently warned that expired and substandard medicines can lead to treatment failure, drug resistance, poisoning and avoidable deaths.

The seizures form part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen border security, improve drug regulation and protect public health by ensuring that only safe, genuine and approved pharmaceutical products are distributed within Nigeria.

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