Nigeria Customs Seizes ₦10bn Worth of Firearms, Drugs, and Other Prohibited Items at Lagos Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and seized 16 containers loaded with prohibited items, including firearms, ammunition, military gear, counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and other contraband worth ₦10 billion at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa.

Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures while briefing journalists, describing the operation as part of ongoing intensified efforts to protect national security and public health through intelligence-driven enforcement.

Firearms and Cannabis Hidden in “Clean” Container

One of the most alarming seizures involved a 40-foot container numbered MRSU6407089, which was initially cleared as a clean shipment but was later subjected to a secondary search by joint security agencies.

The inspection uncovered two pump-action rifles, 25 cartridges of ammunition, one Smith & Wesson pistol with 55 rounds, and 202 cans of Colorado Loud—a potent Canadian strain of cannabis—concealed within the cargo.

Each can of cannabis weighed 500 grams, bringing the total haul to 101 kilograms, roughly the weight of two full bags of cement. The container was consigned to one Mr. Babatunde Ogidiolu, a Lagos-based consignee, whose identity and role are now under investigation.

“This container had Mr. Babatunde Ogidiolu of an address in Lagos as the consignee of these products,” Adeniyi confirmed, adding that the discovery highlighted the importance of collaboration between Customs and other security agencies.

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Expired Drugs and Fake Pharmaceuticals

Adeniyi revealed that seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medicaments were among the seizures. These included two containers of expired “chest and lung” tablets without NAFDAC registration numbers, raising serious public health concerns.

Three other containers carried expired food products—mainly margarine—while another three held absolutely prohibited used clothing, contravening Nigeria’s import regulations.

The Customs chief emphasised that expired drugs pose severe risks to consumers and that the Service works closely with agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to intercept such products before they reach the market.

Frozen Poultry and Intellectual Property Violations

Customs also seized multiple containers carrying frozen poultry products, which are banned in Nigeria to protect local agriculture and prevent the spread of diseases.

One 40-foot container, numbered OERU4243517, contained 1,290 sacks of frozen poultry, while another, FBIU5507953, carried the same quantity of frozen chicken.

In a separate operation, the Service intercepted a container (ZZSU7277511) containing 305 cartons of counterfeit toothpaste concealed with beads and Jalabiya dresses. This case involved an infringement of the intellectual property rights of a Nigerian brand.

“Because these products were not registered by NAFDAC, in addition to the brand infringement, they are subject to seizure,” Adeniyi explained.

Codeine Importation Linked to Previous Seizures

In the latest twist, two more 40-foot containers filled with codeine syrup arrived at the ports just as preparations for the press briefing were underway. Adeniyi revealed that intelligence linked the owners of these containers to previous seizures, suggesting the involvement of organised smuggling networks.

The abuse of codeine-containing cough syrup has been a public health crisis in Nigeria, with its addictive potential prompting tighter regulations and a ban on its importation without special approval.

Technology, Intelligence, and Inter-Agency Collaboration

Adeniyi attributed the successful interceptions to the deployment of advanced tools, technology, and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. He noted that the Service has been working closely with other agencies to strike a balance between trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security.

“We have found ourselves working on some tightropes to ensure that we do not give attention to one and allow another to suffer,” he said. “The results that we have gotten in the last two years have justified that we are doing our best in striking a healthy balance.”

The Customs boss reaffirmed that tackling smuggling—especially of arms, drugs, and substandard goods—remains a top priority for the Service, given the security and economic implications for the country.

National Security and Public Health at Stake

The seizures underline the multi-dimensional threat posed by smuggling, ranging from endangering public safety with illegal firearms to compromising health with expired drugs and unsafe food products.

Security experts warn that arms trafficking fuels violent crime and insurgency, while counterfeit pharmaceuticals and banned food items undermine public health and local industries.

The NCS’s latest haul sends a strong signal to smuggling networks that Nigeria’s ports are increasingly being monitored with sophisticated surveillance and collaborative enforcement.

As investigations continue into the identities and networks behind these seizures, the NCS has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Nigerian borders remain secure against all forms of illicit trade.