The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area 1 Command, has officially handed over a significant consignment of seized counterfeit pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in a bold reaffirmation of its commitment to public health and national security.
The seizure was announced via a press statement released on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, by the Command's Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, Jane Barilule.
According to the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Yola Hashim, the fake drugs were intercepted during a routine inspection of a 1x40-foot container falsely declared as carrying motorcycle spare parts from China. Upon inspection, Customs officers uncovered 2,455 cartons of unregistered drugs branded Gebedol, hidden among 23 cartons of genuine motorcycle parts and 12 bags, with a duty-paid value of approximately ₦3.29 million.
> “Fake drugs kill,” Comptroller Hashim emphasized. “They destroy families, weaken our healthcare system, and pose a serious threat to national security. Those involved in such acts are no different from terrorists.”
He applauded the professionalism of his officers and credited intelligence sharing among sister security agencies for the success of the operation. Hashim also cited the active Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCS and NAFDAC as a critical framework for inter-agency cooperation against illicit trade.
The Comptroller further advocated for a shift from reactive enforcement to intelligence-led prevention, urging deeper collaboration among stakeholders in the health and security sectors.
Receiving the seized goods, Deputy Director of NAFDAC, Adepoju Raufu, from the Port Inspection Directorate, praised Customs for its vigilance and decisive action. He warned that the counterfeit drugs, if allowed into the market, could have had devastating consequences on public health.
> “We are commencing immediate investigations, and the consignment will be destroyed under strict NAFDAC supervision,” Raufu assured. “We will also pursue the criminals behind this dangerous importation.”
He reaffirmed NAFDAC’s unwavering resolve to protect Nigerian consumers and enhance collaboration with Customs and other enforcement agencies.
The event witnessed the presence of key representatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service, Quarantine Service, and various freight forwarding associations, culminating in the formal handover of the contraband to NAFDAC.
---
📍 For more credible updates, visit Stone Reporters News or follow us on Facebook: Stone Reports
📰 Reported by: Stone Reporters News Editorial Desk
🕒 Published: August 6, 2025
Add comment
Comments