The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja, has handed over three truckloads of expired pharmaceuticals valued at N3.7 billion to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Hussaini Abdullahi.

According to the statement, the Customs Area Controller, Mohammed Shuaibu, presented the seized consignments during a courtesy visit by the newly appointed NAFDAC Director of Enforcement and Investigation, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, to the command in Ikeja.

Shuaibu reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NCS and NAFDAC, describing it as a vital step in Nigeria’s fight against counterfeit and harmful products.
“What we are witnessing today is a follow-up to the MoU, which underscores the need for collaboration among regulatory and security agencies to curb the smuggling and circulation of harmful consignments,” he stated.

He explained that the seized items, which filled three trucks, included sacks and cartons of expired pharmaceuticals such as Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codine Syrup, Really Extral, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour, and Firegra, among others. The duty paid value was put at N3.7 billion.

Shuaibu stressed that such products posed grave risks to public health and must be handled with the utmost seriousness. He assured Nigerians that the NCS remains committed to safeguarding the health and safety of citizens by preventing expired or counterfeit medicines from reaching the markets.

He further noted that the exercise was not a one-off event, as more handovers would follow ongoing investigations.
“This collaborative effort sets the pace for future actions to ensure that only safe and effective medications are available to Nigerians,” he added.

Receiving the consignments, Dr. Iluyomade commended the NCS for its dedication to the MoU and described the partnership between both agencies as strategic and vital. He pledged that NAFDAC would intensify efforts in combating the smuggling and distribution of counterfeit and expired drugs.