By Omolabake Cole
Lagos, Aug. 28, ’25 (TNZ) The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has turned over expired pharmaceutical products, valued at N3.77 billion, to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
TheNewsZenith reports that the Command’s spokesman, CSC Hussaini Abdullahi, announced this in a statement in Lagos.
Abdullahi said the new NAFDAC Director of Enforcement and Investigation, Dr Martin Iluyomade, received the products when he visited Zone ‘A’ on Aug. 25.
According to the statement, during the handing over, the Controller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Mohammed Shu’aibu, reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to upholding the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two government agencies.
“What we are witnessing today is a follow-up to the MoU between the two agencies.
“This MoU emphasises the importance of collaboration among regulatory and security agencies.
“This is to continuously thwart the smuggling and importation of harmful consignments,” TheNewsZenith quotes from the statement.
Shu’aibu announced that NCS handed over three trucks, loaded with various expired pharmaceutical products.
The items, packed in sacks and cartons, included Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codine Syrup, Really Extral, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour, and Firegra, among others.
Read Related News:
- NCS intercept ₦1.84bn petrol, goods at notorious flashpoints
- CSR: NCS renovates Lagos school buildings
- NCS fosters strategic partnerships for seamless trade operations
- Canadian Police commend NCS on border security, anti-smuggling
- NCS seizes N1.72bn contraband in one month
“The wide range of these products poses serious risks to public health if not properly regulated.
“The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the expired pharmaceuticals stands at N3.77 billion,” he added.
The Controller noted that NCS remained committed to ensuring the safety and efficacy of medicines in Nigeria. He also said that expired products would be handled with utmost seriousness.
According to him, the handover is not a one-off event, as more consignments will be transferred to NAFDAC after ongoing investigations.
Shu’aibu further assured Nigerians that Customs would continue to prioritise public health by preventing expired and counterfeit drugs from circulating in markets.
Receiving the consignments on behalf of the NAFDAC, Iluyomade commended the NCS for its unwavering commitment to the MoU.
He described the collaboration as a strategic partnership in safeguarding public health.
Iluyomade noted that NAFDAC would redouble its efforts in combating the smuggling of counterfeit and fake pharmaceuticals. (TNZ)
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share stories of local happenings with TheNewsZenith on WhatsApp: +2348033668669. For more scintillating news, visit our website: www.thenewszenith.com. Also follow us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thenewszenithOnline, Facebook: www.facebook.com/@thenewszenithonline & Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@thenewszenithonline
