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.

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Swift action by operatives of the Cross River State Homeland Safety & Security Agency (HSSA) has led to the rescue of a newborn baby and the dismantling of a suspected child trafficking syndicate operating from Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state.

Acting on credible intelligence, a team led by Comrade Eyo, HSSA Akpabuyo Unit Commander, intercepted a commercial taxi on 24th June, 2026 at the Maternity Junction axis of Akpabuyo LGA.

Three women, Mrs. Mary Solomon, 42, Patience Akumuruk 46, and Juliet Efut 43 were found in the vehicle with a newborn baby wrapped in a shawl.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspects claimed they were transporting the infant to Obubra.

The prime suspect Mrs. Solomon told operatives she had traveled from Obubra to Akpabuyo for delivery and had “put to bed” at a private delivery home in Akwa Ikot Effanga.

Further investigation that same day led to the arrest of Umoh Effiong Edet popularly known as Glory, the operator of the delivery home.

Under questioning, Edet allegedly confessed that the baby was delivered by a young girl who could not care for the child.

Edet reportedly revealed an elaborate scheme described as “implanting,” in which clients like Mrs. Solomon are made to appear pregnant for up to a year.

The process induces visible physical changes, including abdominal swelling, to deceive spouses, family, and neighbors into believing the client is carrying a child.

“During this period, the real mother is housed secretly. When she delivers, the baby is handed over to the client for a fee, while the public believes it was a legitimate birth,” a senior HSSA source familiar with the case disclosed.

The four suspects — Mary Solomon, Patience Akumuruk, Juliet Efut and delivery home operator, Umoh Effiong Edet, have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) through the Operation Okwok office in Calabar for further investigation and prosecution.

HSSA confirmed that more arrests have been made since the 24th June operation as operatives widen the probe into what appears to be a network exploiting vulnerable young mothers. Investigations are ongoing to identify the biological mother of the rescued infant and other potential victims.

Reacting on Wednesday, July 1, DG South, HSSA, Chief Michael Orok Nsan praised the Akpabuyo unit’s rapid response.

“This operation underscores our mandate to protect the most vulnerable. Homeland Security is not just about borders and forests, it’s about defending human lives in our communities. We commend Comrade Eyo and his team, and we urge citizens to continue using our tip-off channels,” Nsan said.

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Operatives of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) have recorded another major breakthrough in the fight against banditry with the arrest of a seven-man syndicate of suspected armed bandits in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation, carried out at about 2:12 a.m. on June 30, 2026, was led by the Kubau Sector Coordinator, Abubakar Shuaibu, following a carefully planned ambush along the Ikara–Zuntu route, a notorious corridor frequently used by armed bandits and kidnappers to attack innocent residents, particularly on market days.

During the operation, KADVS personnel intercepted a Golf 3 vehicle with registration number PHC 146 XA conveying the suspects.

A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of one locally made gun, the sum of N350,750 in cash, six mobile phones, charms, iron rods, and other incriminating items.

The suspects identified themselves as Bello Tarmo, Umar Alhassan, Shedi Tukur (driver), Iliya Ibrahim, and Saleh Haruna, all males with addresses in Ikara, Zuntu, Kargi, and Anchau.

In a related development, KADVS also arrested one Dini, a resident of Kano State, for allegedly stealing metal materials from a mining company in Kubau Local Government Area.

The suspects, together with all recovered exhibits, have been handed over to the Kaduna State Anti-Kidnapping Unit, CID Kaduna, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The successful operation underscores KADVS’ continued commitment to supporting security agencies in protecting lives and property across Kaduna State.

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