Expired drugs intercepted drugs customs operatives
By OLA MODUPE, Lagos-
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, transferred expired pharmaceutical products worth N3.77 billion to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on August 25, 2025, in a significant step toward curbing the spread of harmful drugs.
According to a statement by Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, the Public Relations Officer for FOU Zone ‘A’, the handover occurred during a visit by NAFDAC’s Director of Enforcement and Investigation, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, in Lagos.
Comptroller Mohammed Shu’aibu, Controller of FOU Zone ‘A’, emphasized the importance of the collaboration between NCS and NAFDAC, stating, “This handover reflects our commitment to the memorandum of understanding with NAFDAC, aimed at thwarting the smuggling of dangerous consignments.”
He highlighted that the partnership is a cornerstone in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against counterfeit and substandard products.
The seized items, transported in three trucks and packaged in sacks and cartons, included expired pharmaceuticals such as Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codine Syrup, Really Extral, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour, and Firegra.
Shu’aibu noted, “These products, with a Duty Paid Value of N3.77 billion, pose significant risks to public health if allowed to circulate.”
Shu’aibu reaffirmed the NCS’s dedication to ensuring the safety of medicines in Nigeria, adding that further consignments would be handed over to NAFDAC as investigations continue.
“Our priority is to protect public health by preventing the distribution of expired and counterfeit drugs,” he said.
Dr. Iluyomade, representing NAFDAC’s Director-General, praised the NCS for its steadfast adherence to the MoU, describing the collaboration as “a vital partnership in safeguarding the health of Nigerians.”
He assured that NAFDAC would intensify efforts to combat the smuggling of fake and counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
