Apapa Customs Seizes ₦3.4bn Codeine Syrup Hidden in Containers
Barely five days after the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, declared that the Apapa Port would no longer serve as a safe haven for smugglers and criminal syndicates, officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Apapa Area Command have recorded another major anti-smuggling breakthrough.
The Command intercepted and seized two containers laden with Codeine-containing syrup with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3.398 billion.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, the seizure was made during a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Apapa Port.
During the operation, officers uncovered a total of 3,398 cartons containing 339,800 bottles of Codeine-containing syrup (CSP Codeine) that had been cleverly concealed inside shipments of household utensils.
Details of the seizures show that Container No. MRKU 3816476 contained 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of the illicit syrup hidden among 38 cartons of pearl-plated insulated casseroles and bullet insulated hotspots.
Similarly, Container No. TGBU 5399178 was found to contain 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) concealed among 36 cartons of pearl-plated casseroles.
Altogether, the seizures have a Duty Paid Value of ₦3,398,000,000.
The statement added that both containers have been formally converted to seizures in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 (as amended).
Speaking on the interception, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, described the operation as a clear demonstration of the Command’s commitment to the directives and vision of the Comptroller-General.
“This fresh seizure, coming just five days after the CGC’s visit and his strong warning to criminal elements, is a direct response to his charge to officers and men of the Command,” Oshoba said.
He added that the Command remains fully aligned with the Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy and will continue to make Apapa Port hostile to smugglers and drug traffickers.
The Customs boss also commended the NDLEA for its seamless collaboration and unwavering support in the successful operation.
Oshoba reiterated that the Apapa Area Command remains committed to protecting public health, safeguarding national security, and facilitating legitimate trade in line with the renewed focus on technology-driven operations and zero tolerance for smuggling within the Service.
He also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General, Adeniyi, and the management team of the Nigeria Customs Service for their continued support and guidance.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has directed all shipping lines and their agents to immediately suspend the implementation of recently approved tariffs in the port and shipping sector.
In a directive issued by its management, the Council said the decision followed ongoing engagements with critical stakeholders and concerns raised over the timing, structure, and possible impact of the new tariffs on port users and the broader logistics value chain.
According to the NSC, the suspension became necessary to ensure fair competition, transparency and stability within the sector while consultations and regulatory reviews continue.
The Council therefore instructed all affected operators to revert to the tariff regime that was in place before the recent increase. It warned that any deviation from the directive would be regarded as a breach of regulatory compliance and could attract sanctions in line with existing laws and regulations.
The NSC added that a final position on the tariff issue would be communicated after the completion of stakeholder consultations and internal review processes.
Reaffirming its role as the economic regulator of the port and shipping industry, the Council reiterated its commitment to protecting cargo interests and promoting an efficient and equitable maritime transport system.
Operators in the sector were urged to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.
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2026-03-20