The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a massive consignment of falsified pharmaceutical products and drones valued at over ₦921 million, raising fresh concerns over the country’s porous importation channels and threats to public safety.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Lagos, made the seizure during a coordinated operation targeted at curbing illegal and harmful imports. The items, which were concealed in containers falsely declared as containing legitimate goods, were uncovered during detailed examination at the port.
Among the seized products were fake pharmaceuticals, including critical drugs falsely labelled to evade regulatory scrutiny, as well as high-tech drones smuggled in without proper documentation or end-user certifications — a violation of national security protocols.
The Acting Controller of the FOU, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed the development at a press briefing in Lagos, describing the seizure as “a significant breakthrough” in the fight against dangerous imports and a warning to those attempting to undermine Nigeria’s health and security systems for profit.
“We intercepted fake and unregistered drugs which pose a direct threat to public health. The drones, also illegally imported, are classified items that require strict regulatory clearance before entry into the country. This level of disregard for the law is unacceptable,” Ejibunu said.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders from substandard, harmful, and unapproved products, warning importers to desist from engaging in activities that flout customs and national security laws.
According to the Customs chief, preliminary investigations show that the drugs were falsely labeled to mimic genuine pharmaceutical products and were intended for distribution across major cities. He noted that such items could have devastating consequences on the population if allowed into circulation, especially in rural areas where regulatory oversight is often weaker.
Ejibunu further explained that the illegal drones were capable of surveillance and other advanced functions, stressing that such equipment, in the wrong hands, could compromise national security.
He assured that the suspects involved in the illegal importation would be prosecuted, and that the Service was working closely with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and other relevant bodies to ensure that all parties responsible are brought to justice.
The development has drawn reactions from stakeholders in the health and security sectors, who commended the Customs Service for its vigilance and called for stricter penalties for those found guilty of importing harmful products into the country.
This latest seizure comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to sanitize Nigeria’s importation processes and tighten controls on pharmaceuticals, surveillance equipment, and other sensitive items.
The NCS has pledged to sustain its aggressive enforcement strategy to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Nigerians.
