The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently handed over 91 cartons of expired tramadol capsules, valued at around N92 million, to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Adamawa State for proper disposal.
The official transfer took place on Wednesday at the NCS Adamawa/Taraba Area Command headquarters in Yola, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
This confiscation was the outcome of targeted intelligence operations in Mubi, a key border town notorious for smuggling activities.
At the event, Mr. Garba Bashir, Controller of Customs for the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, stressed that the seizure prevented a looming public health hazard.
He cautioned that if these expired tramadol capsules had reached consumers, “the wellbeing of numerous Nigerians would have been jeopardized, resulting in heightened health complications, reduced workforce productivity, and unfair competition within the pharmaceutical industry.”
Highlights from the Statement
- Mr. Bashir pointed out that the circulation of expired and counterfeit medications fuels substance abuse among young people, often triggering violent conduct, hostility, and social unrest.
“Seizing these dangerous and counterfeit drugs is vital in dismantling criminal networks, halting illegal smuggling, and protecting public health,” he added.
He also noted that the operation was carried out under the powers granted by Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, with the confiscated items officially transferred to NAFDAC for destruction.
“The destruction will be conducted collaboratively with NAFDAC following this formal handover,” Mr. Bashir confirmed.
Additional Information
Drawing on World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, Mr. Bashir highlighted that over one million fatalities globally each year are linked to the consumption of substandard or fake medicines, with Africa bearing a disproportionate share of this burden.
- He revealed that within six weeks, the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command recorded 29 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) totaling N112.59 million. Other confiscated items included 20,600 litres of petroleum in 824 jerrycans, 54 cartons of imported soaps, and 64 whole donkey skins.
- The seized petroleum products are scheduled for auction, with all proceeds remitted to the federation account.
- Mr. Gonzuk Bedima, NAFDAC’s Coordinator in Adamawa, commended the Customs Service for its vigilant efforts and ongoing partnership to curb the circulation of expired and harmful drugs, pledging continued collaboration to safeguard consumers and public health.
Previous reports from Nairametrics indicated that in August, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, handed over expired pharmaceuticals valued at N3.77 billion to NAFDAC. This transfer occurred on August 25 during a visit by Dr. Martin Iluyomade, then newly appointed Director of Enforcement and Investigation at NAFDAC, to the FOU Zone ‘A’ facility.