Customs hand over N36.5m worth of expired raw materials to NAFDAC

Thursday, January 29, 2026 - The Nigeria Customs Service, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command, has handed over a 20-foot container carrying 440 bags of expired raw materials with a duty paid value of N36.5m to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

This was contained in a recent statement by the Customs Public Relations Officer of the command, Victor Ogagbo, a Chief Superintendent of Customs.

The Acting Customs Area Comptroller in charge of the command, Bolaji Adigun, explained that the container was intercepted during routine cargo examination, and its contents were found to violate import regulations while posing potential risks to public health.

“In line with this commitment, the process of handing over one 20-foot container with registration number GESU3900612, carrying 440 bags of 25 kg each of expired raw materials known as triple-pressed stearic acid from Indonesia, with a duty-paid value of N36.5m, to NAFDAC is currently underway.

The container was intercepted during routine cargo examination, and its contents were found to violate import regulations while posing potential risks to public health,” Adigun said.

He revealed that in a related enforcement activity, a 40-foot container with registration number MSKU 4798018 was intercepted at Joliz Terminal. Adigun emphasised that the container was discovered to contain items that were falsely declared as zipped luggage but were found to contain empty suitcases valued at N5m. He explained that the seizure underscores the NCS’s zero-tolerance approach to false declaration, smuggling, and other trade infractions.

The Acting CAC described the handover as a clear demonstration of the command’s sustained collaboration with sister agencies to prevent the importation of expired and substandard products. He disclosed that the command is intensifying enforcement actions against expired and falsely declared goods while achieving remarkable revenue growth in 2025.

Adigun highlighted that the command remains committed to upholding its mandate to facilitate legitimate trade, prevent smuggling, enforce customs laws, and protect national revenue. He pointed out that the command continues to focus on ensuring compliance, safeguarding public health, and promoting efficient trade operations at the terminals through sustained enforcement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

On revenue, Adigun stated that the command recorded N147.2bn in 2025, surpassing its target of N109.4bn. This, he stressed, represents a significant increase over the N107bn recorded in 2024, showing a difference of N40bn and reflecting a 35 per cent growth.

Adigun added that the feat demonstrates the effectiveness of the command’s improved enforcement strategies, operational efficiency, and increased compliance among stakeholders. He expressed profound gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team for their leadership and guidance and for creating an enabling environment that empowers the command to deliver effectively on its mandate.

Adigun also commended the officers and men of the KLT Command for their dedication, professionalism, and integrity in combating smuggling and other unlawful trade activities. The CAC urged them to sustain this level of commitment, consistently adhere to the rules of engagement, and maintain high standards of conduct in the execution of their statutory duties.

Furthermore, he acknowledged the support of compliant stakeholders and partner agencies, stating that their collaboration has been instrumental to the progress and achievements of the command. He stressed that such cooperation remains vital to sustaining operational efficiency, enforcing compliance, and safeguarding national revenue.

Adigun assured stakeholders and the general public that the command will continue to block revenue leakages, combat illegal importation, and support national health and security objectives throughout the year.

The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command is a container terminal facility in Lagos, Nigeria, situated within the larger Apapa Port Complex in Lagos State. It serves as a cargo handling area distinct from the main Apapa quays and is part of Nigeria’s maritime logistics infrastructure.