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Nigeria Customs Service, National Security Adviser’s Office Destroy Expired, Illicit Drugs in Epe
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other regulatory agencies, has intensified its crackdown on expired and illicit drugs, culminating in a large-scale destruction exercise in Epe, Lagos.
The exercise, which took place on Friday, March 22, 2025, was aimed at ensuring that hazardous substances do not find their way into circulation, thereby protecting public health and national security. Speaking at the dumpsite, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, who represented the service, reiterated the dangers of expired drugs and the pivotal role played by the enforcement arm of the NCS in intercepting such contraband.
“Many of these drugs are expired, and expired drugs must not be allowed into the country. That is why they were seized,” Oguntuase stated.
He credited the success of the operation to the strategic enforcement initiatives implemented by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, which have significantly bolstered the agency’s capacity to tackle smuggling.
“It has given us a significant advantage over the smugglers. We have intercepted over 200 containers, and Customs is at the forefront of these operations. We are now at the stage of destroying the seized items,” Oguntuase added.
Representing the National Security Adviser, Ibrahim Suleiman highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative, stressing the commitment of security agencies to preventing illicit substances from reaching the public.
“The committee was convened to ensure that illicit drugs are removed from the ports and destroyed because the National Security Adviser is deeply concerned that these drugs—which are a catalyst for many crimes and other social issues—should not remain at the ports or other places where they are seized. They must be destroyed,” Suleiman said.
He further explained that the first phase of the destruction exercise took place in Lagos, covering seizures from Apapa Port, Tin Can Island Port, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), and Lekki Port. Similar operations were conducted in Port Harcourt before the second phase returned to Lagos.
Also speaking at the event, DC Solomon Omotosho, who represented the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), confirmed that some individuals linked to the intercepted drugs were already facing prosecution.
He warned against the illegal importation of pharmaceuticals and narcotics, emphasizing that offenders would be met with the full force of the law.
The destruction exercise underscores the federal government’s commitment to tackling drug smuggling and reinforcing border security through the combined efforts of agencies including the NCS, NDLEA, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
As authorities continue to clamp down on the influx of harmful substances, stakeholders have reiterated their resolve to sustain these efforts and ensure that Nigeria’s borders remain fortified against drug-related crimes.