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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Customs hand over ₦59m expired drugs to NAFDAC

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over expired pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦59 million to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
  • The seizure prevented dangerous medicines from reaching unsuspecting Nigerians, according to customs officials.
  • The consignment was intercepted during a joint cargo examination in Port Harcourt.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area I Command, has successfully intercepted and handed over a significant consignment of expired pharmaceutical products, valued at over ₦59 million (CIF), to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This action prevented a large quantity of dangerous medicines from entering the Nigerian market.

The handover ceremony took place at the command's headquarters in Port Harcourt and was attended by representatives from various security agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), alongside freight forwarding associations and industry stakeholders. The NCS statement confirmed the formal transfer of the intercepted expired medicaments on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

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.

— Comptroller Salamatu AtulukuExplaining the significance of the seizure and the command's role in protecting public health.

Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, the Customs Area Controller for Port Harcourt Area I Command, stated that the seizure underscores the command's unwavering commitment to preventing harmful and prohibited pharmaceutical products from reaching consumers. She explained that the expired drugs were discovered during a collaborative joint cargo examination involving NCS officers, NAFDAC, and other relevant government agencies.

Atuluku warned that the circulation of such expired medicines could have severe health consequences for millions of Nigerians. She commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his support of intelligence-led operations and the strengthening of inter-agency cooperation. Pharm. Adepoju Raufu, Deputy Director of NAFDAC's Port Inspection Directorate, received the seized items and praised the Customs Service for their diligence in preventing the dangerous drugs from entering the country.

The consignment contained several cartons of expired pharmaceutical products with a Combined Insurance and Freight value of over N59m.

— Comptroller Salamatu AtulukuDetailing the value and nature of the intercepted expired drugs.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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