By Fred JEREMIAH, Lagos
Committed to adhere and enforce strict compliance with the tripod policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, aimed to boost revenue generation, suppress smuggling activities and create robust synergies in trade facilitation, the Customs Area Controller, CAC, Apapa Area Command, Compt. Emmanuel Oshoba, has striked again barely Five (5) days after the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR PhD visited Apapa Port and declared that Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation; the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, have recorded yet another significant breakthrough.
In his remarks, Compt Emmanuel Oshoba, asserted, “In a swift follow-up operation on Sunday, 15 March 2026, the Command, in joint collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), intercepted and seized Two (2) containers containing a total of 3,398 cartons (339,800 bottles) of Codeine-containing Syrup (CSP Codeine) cleverly concealed in household utensils at the Apapa Port.”
The CAC reiterated that, “Cummulatively, the seizures have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Three Billion, Three Hundred and Ninety Eight Million, Naira (₦3,398,000,000.00) only. The details of the seizures are; a Container No. MRKU 3816476 found to contain 1,700 cartons (170,000 bottles) of CSP Codeine concealed with 38 cartons of pearl plating insulated casserole/5′ Bullet Insulated Hotspot and Container No. TGBU 5399178 was found to contain 1,698 cartons (169,800 bottles) of CSP Codeine concealed with 36 cartons of pearl plating casserole. Both containers have been converted to seizure in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 as amended.”
Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, added, “The seizure serves as a clear demonstration of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the directives and vision of the Comptroller-General.”
His words: “This fresh seizure, coming just Five (5) days after the CGC’s visit and strong warning to criminal elements, is a direct response to his charge on us. We are fully aligned with the Service’s intelligence-led enforcement strategy and will continue to make Apapa Port extremely hostile to smugglers and drug traffickers. “
However, he commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its seamless collaboration and unwavering support in the successful operation.
Comptroller Oshoba maintained that the Apapa Area Command remains steadfast in its resolve to protect public health, safeguard national security and facilitate only legitimate trade, in line with the Comptroller-General’s renewed emphasis on technology-driven operations and zero tolerance for smuggling.
