Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, has destroyed over 60 containers of substandard and illegally imported pharmaceutical products worth billions of naira in Port Harcourt.
The destruction took place on Wednesday at the Rivers State Waste Management dump site along the Port Harcourt Airport road, as part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal drug imports.
Speaking at the site, Assistant Controller General of Customs, Timi Bomodi, who also chairs the committee for the destruction of illegally imported pharmaceuticals, emphasized that the exercise was a joint operation led by a multi-agency committee set up by NSA Nuhu Ribadu.
“The mandate given to this committee was to identify, isolate, evacuate, and destroy pharmaceuticals that were illegally imported into this country,” Bomodi stated.
He revealed that the Port Harcourt operation involved the destruction of 64 containers, with an estimated market value running into hundreds of billions of Naira.
Bomodi warned that illegally imported pharmaceuticals pose serious health and security risks, as they often fall into the hands of criminals, kidnappers, and bandits, who use them to sustain their illicit activities.
“These pharmaceuticals pose a grave danger, not only to the health and well-being of Nigerians but also to national security. Some of these substances have been identified as enablers of criminal activities,” he said.
The Customs official disclosed that several arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing to prosecute those behind the illegal imports.
“There are cases in court, and some have already been prosecuted. Some of these containers had fictitious import documents, making it difficult to trace the exact importers, but we are making every effort to bring those involved to justice,” Bomodi assured.
He also sent a strong warning to those engaged in smuggling illegal pharmaceuticals:
“We ask them to cease and desist. This is not a profitable business, and the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with them.”
Representing the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Commodore Kelechi Ogbonna reaffirmed that the operation was part of a national effort to remove dangerous drugs from circulation.
“The aim is for these items not to find their way back into society in any way. If allowed, they will pose serious health risks and also contribute to insecurity,” Ogbonna said.
He revealed that the first phase of the destruction exercise in Lagos had already eliminated over 70 containers, while more than 100 containers remain to be destroyed in subsequent phases.
The ongoing crackdown has identified major entry points for illegal pharmaceuticals, including Apapa Port, Tin Can Island Port, Onne Port, Calabar Port, Lagos, and Aminu Kano International Airport.
Ogbonna praised the multi-agency approach, stating that the collaboration between security agencies and state governments aligns with the Federal Government’s strategy to combat illegal activities.
“The cooperation from Lagos State, Rivers State, and the Federal Government shows a collective effort to rid our country of these illegal substances,” he added.
