Customs seize N5.8m pharmaceutical products in Sokoto

The Nigeria Customs Service, Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, has handed over seized unregistered pharmaceutical products valued at N5.8m to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and necessary action.

The products were intercepted by Customs patrol teams along the Illela-Sokoto Road following credible intelligence, according to Acting Customs Area Controller Deputy Comptroller Haliru Abdullahi.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the command headquarters in Sokoto on Wednesday, Abdullahi said the seizure was part of efforts to prevent the circulation of unregistered drugs and protect public health.

He said the seized items comprised 360 packages of anti-cold drugs, 500 packages of amodiaquine, 140 packages of paracetamol and 100 packages of quinine, with a total duty-paid value of N5,804,062.06.

According to him, the seizure was made possible by the commitment of the command’s patrol teams and credible intelligence.

Abdullahi said the importation of unregistered pharmaceutical products contravened Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and NAFDAC regulations.

He warned smugglers and dealers in unregistered drugs to desist from the illegal trade, stressing that the command would not tolerate activities capable of endangering public health.

“Let me use this opportunity to warn smugglers and those who deal in such unwholesome products that the Sokoto/Zamfara Command, under my watch, will not tolerate any form of smuggling,” he said.

He added, “We remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding the health of citizens and the nation’s economy.”

• Customs close in on first volleyball title in seven years
• Customs intercepts another five pangolins in Ogun
• ADC shifts Sokoto campaign kick-off amid hotel booking row

The acting controller commended the officers involved in the interception and acknowledged NAFDAC’s continued partnership with the Customs Service in tackling the circulation of prohibited and unregistered products.

He subsequently handed over the seized items to NAFDAC officials for further investigation and appropriate action.

Receiving the products on behalf of the agency, the NAFDAC State Coordinator in Sokoto, AbduSalam Lawal, commended the Customs Service for its collaboration and efforts to rid the country of unwholesome pharmaceutical products.

Lawal said the partnership between the two agencies was crucial to protecting Nigerians from potentially harmful medicines.

“On behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC and the entire management of the agency, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service for the wonderful collaboration we’ve been enjoying,” he said.

He added that sustained cooperation between the agencies would help prevent unregistered pharmaceutical products from reaching consumers.

“This is the only way we can rid the country of some of these unwholesome products from circulation. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of your men,” Lawal said.

He expressed the agency’s commitment to strengthening the partnership with Customs to ensure that seized pharmaceutical products were subjected to the necessary regulatory processes.

The handover underscores the role of inter-agency collaboration in combating the illegal movement of pharmaceutical products and protecting public health.