The Nigeria Customs Service, on Wednesday, handed over nine containers of seized hard drugs, expired, fake and prohibited pharmaceutical products with a duty-paid value of N53.391 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Apapa, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the seizures reflected the outcome of diligent intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration aimed at protecting public health and national security.
He said the seizures were made by the Apapa Area Command following intelligence gathering, scanning analysis, physical examination and collaboration with the NDLEA.
Adeniyi said the event, coming days after the commemoration of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reaffirmed the service’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders, safeguarding public health and strengthening national security through intelligence-driven border management.
He said the seizures included a 40-foot container with registration number CAAU7569127 containing 3,639 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 1,819.5 kilograms, concealed alongside three imported vehicles and assorted automobile spare parts.
He added that another 40-foot container, with registration number HAMU3246311, contained 9,918 sachets of cannabis sativa weighing approximately 4.95 metric tonnes, concealed alongside two imported vehicles and household items.
According to him, another 40-foot container, with registration number MRKU3816476, contained 1,700 cartons of codeine syrup concealed with 38 cartons of insulated casserole dishes.
“Another 40-foot container with registration number TGBU5399178 conveying 1,698 cartons of codeine syrup concealed inside 36 cartons of casserole products; a 40-foot container, HASU4519480, conveying 1,300 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including tramadol; a 40-foot container with registration number MRKU4961275 conveying 1,269 cartons of expired pharmaceutical products, including oxytocin injections, Mexclor eye drops and carbamazepine tablets; another consignment in a 40-foot container with registration number PCIU8771576 comprising expired pharmaceutical products, including cloxicillin capsules, Cynamine 12 Vitamin B12 injections and Becoline B-Complex injections. All intercepted for regulatory action,” Adeniyi said.
He added that a 20-foot container with registration number MRKU6964435 containing Piccan teething powder and another 40-foot container with registration number TCKU7000791 containing 1,100 packages of Chacold chlorpheniramine maleate capsules bearing a fake National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control registration number and an expiry date of December 2028 were also seized.
“Cumulatively, these nine seizures have a duty-paid value of N53.391 billion only,” he said.
The Customs boss said the seizures resulted from intelligence analysis and non-intrusive inspection.
According to him, although the consignments initially appeared legitimate, detailed verification of the NAFDAC certificate presented by the declarant revealed that the products were not registered with the agency.
Adeniyi said the use of fake registration numbers and supporting documentation indicated a deliberate attempt to smuggle unregistered pharmaceutical products into Nigeria, posing a serious threat to public health.
“Consequently, the consignment was seized in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and will be handed over to NAFDAC for further regulatory action and investigation,” he said.
“They represent lives protected, families preserved, communities secured and countless young Nigerians shielded from the devastating consequences of drug abuse and unsafe medicines,” he said.
The CGC warned that the importation of expired pharmaceuticals and controlled substances poses a direct threat to public health, while the sophisticated concealment methods employed by criminal networks demonstrated their determination to exploit legitimate trade channels for illicit purposes.
He, however, said the interceptions also showed that the NCS possessed the intelligence capability, technological capacity and operational readiness to detect and disrupt such criminal activities.
“In accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, narcotic drugs falling within the statutory jurisdiction of the NDLEA will today be formally handed over to the agency for further investigation and prosecution. Similarly, expired pharmaceutical products will be transferred to NAFDAC for regulatory action and safe disposal,” he said.
He explained that where prohibited items were concealed alongside vehicles, automobile spare parts or other imported goods, only the narcotic drugs and expired pharmaceuticals would be handed over, while the remaining items would remain in Customs’ custody for seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, revenue recovery and other enforcement actions.
Commending officers of the Apapa Area Command, Adeniyi said the service would continue to deepen collaboration with relevant government agencies, the private sector and international partners to prevent criminal organisations from exploiting Nigeria’s ports and borders.
He vowed that every intelligence lead would be pursued, every violation thoroughly investigated and every offender brought to justice.
“We remain committed to building a secure trading environment that protects our economy, safeguards public health and reinforces national security. To those who seek to use our ports to traffic illicit drugs, expired pharmaceuticals or other prohibited goods, let today’s operation send a clear and unmistakable message that Nigeria’s ports are no longer safe havens for smugglers or organised criminal networks. Through technology, intelligence, coordinated border management and the professionalism of our officers, the Nigeria Customs Service is steadily closing the gaps previously exploited by criminal syndicates,” Adeniyi said.
He added that the service would continue to intercept, expose and prosecute all those who threaten the economy, compromise public health or undermine national security.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), while taking over the seized narcotics, described the event as a landmark in the collaboration between the NDLEA and the NCS.
Marwa, represented by Assistant Commander of Narcotics Archie-Abia Ogboba, said, “Together, we have taken 6,778.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica, popularly known as ‘Canadian Loud,’ out of circulation.
Through two major seizures recorded on 15 and 24 June 2026, we send a clear and unequivocal message that we are more determined than ever to dismantle organised criminal syndicates and drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond our borders.”
Marwa added that both seizures resulted from intelligence-led operations conducted by the NDLEA Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit in collaboration with foreign partners, particularly the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
“Over four months, actionable intelligence was carefully developed, and our marine surveillance officers tracked the vessels and containers throughout their journey until both were successfully intercepted,” he said.
An amateur boxer identified simply as Kehinde and popularly known as KBlaq has been stabbed to death during a street fight at Olodo Garage in Ibadan, Oyo State.
PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday that the incident occurred on Sunday, sparking outrage among social media users, who called for justice for the deceased.
According to accounts circulating online, the deceased was not initially involved in the fight, while the suspect allegedly appeared after the confrontation had ended and stabbed him in the neck with a broken bottle.
Kehinde, who was described by acquaintances as a boxer, reportedly succumbed to his injuries.
Several social media users expressed shock over the killing, with some claiming that the suspect was not among those involved in the initial fight.
An X user, @MVKAY2, wrote, “The person who stabbed him was not even involved in the fight, and they had stopped fighting already. Just one of those vile men wey the matter no concern came from nowhere and stabbed him.
“Before una start dropping different narratives, I wish he was with Z second. I wish he was never there.”
Another user, @omononaolapo, wrote, “Funny enough, this guy that stabbed him was not even among those that they were fighting.”
Similarly, @Tunde, who described the deceased as his brother, wrote, “Na my brother o. Ajeh. Olodo bike men can be very mean sometimes, and they were all there watching them fight.”
Another user, @Fela, added, “This was why I made this tweet earlier today. This boxer is my younger brother’s friend. I got to church yesterday and my brother told me someone killed his friend. I was shocked when he told me.”
Also, @Pelumifundz, who described Kehinde as the younger brother of a friend, wrote, “This guy is a twin and my friend’s junior brother. He’s so gentle and doesn’t cause trouble. I would really love to know what happened that made the bikeman stab him in the neck. Anyways, rest in peace, Kenny. I know you won’t go without having justice. We will definitely get it for you.”
Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, told our correspondent during a telephone interview that an investigation was ongoing.
Suspected terrorists have abducted 14 students in a Niger State Islamic school.
The incident reportedly happened on Saturday in Pandogari in Rafi Local Government Area.
The PUNCH learnt that the students were abducted while harvesting maize in their teacher’s farm when the terrorists invaded the farm.
The teacher was also reportedly kidnapped during the incident.
The spokesman of the Niger State police command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, saying that the number of abducted students was 14 and not 50 as reported.
He also said a joint security mission was on a rescue mission, assuring that the abducted students would be rescued.
“On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.
“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.
“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated,” he said.
Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Jonathan Vatsa, speaking on the incident, condemned Governor Mohammed Bago over his handling of the security situation in the state.
He lamented that the governor was busy with electioneering and had failed to protect lives and property.
“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation.
“The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condole with the people over the death of their loved ones without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the killers of a woman, Unwana Okon, who was murdered in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state.
Okon, a resident of Ndot Village, was allegedly lured to Mbiaikot Village under the guise of buying Afang leaves before she was killed.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Sunday.
According to the police, the incident was reported at about 3.30pm on November 1, 2026, by the victim’s brother, identified as Eno.
John said Eno reported that his sister had received a telephone call from an unidentified person inviting her to Mbiaikot Village to sell Afang leaves.
She said, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has commenced an intensive investigation and launched a manhunt for the perpetrator(s) of the gruesome murder of one Unwana Okon, a female resident of Ndot Village, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
“The incident was reported on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at about 1530 hours, by one Eno, who informed the police that his sister, Unwana Okon, had received a telephone call from an unidentified individual inviting her to Mbiaikot Village under the pretext of purchasing Afang leaves.”
The police said Okon honoured the invitation but was later found dead, adding that her mobile phone and an undisclosed sum of money were taken by the assailants.
John said the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the killing.
She added that the commissioner directed the immediate transfer of the case from the Divisional Police Headquarters to the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit for a specialised investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the unfortunate incident and directed that the case be transferred immediately from the Divisional Police Headquarters to the command’s Violence Crime Response Unit for a thorough, specialised and coordinated investigation, with a view to ensuring the swift identification, arrest and prosecution of all persons found culpable,” the statement read.
The command condemned the killing, assuring residents that all operational and investigative resources would be deployed to apprehend those responsible.
It also urged residents of Oruk Anam and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the investigation.
“The police further urge members of the public, particularly residents of Oruk Anam and neighbouring communities, to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements, persons or information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
“Anyone with credible information is encouraged to contact the nearest Police station or the Command through its established communication channels.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reassures residents of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and will not relent in its determination to rid the state of criminal elements,” part of the statement read.
