The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, has reaffirmed that the Service is stepping up its anti-smuggling measures with uncompromising enforcement and intelligence deployment to prevent prohibited goods from entering the country.

Olomu stated this on Monday, August 18, 2025, while receiving Dr. Martin Iluyomade, Director of Inspection and Enforcement at the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who also chairs the Federal Task Force on Fake, Substandard Drugs and Unwholesome Food.

“Renewed antics by smugglers, such as using fake registration numbers and false declarations, have always failed,” Olomu said, stressing that the Command remains committed to the MoU between Customs and NAFDAC to curb the smuggling of items under the agency’s regulatory watch.

Commitment to Enforcement

The Area Controller assured that Apapa Customs will continue arresting suspects and handing them over with seized goods, describing the prosecution of offenders as a key step to breaking the human supply chain of smuggling.

He urged NAFDAC to expedite the evacuation of seized containers from the port to prevent congestion, adding that Customs officers have adopted a zero tolerance stance against smuggling in line with the CGC’s directive.

“We will not allow our laws to be circumvented in ways that endanger Nigerians through what they eat, drink, or by illegal arms brought into the country,” Olomu declared.

Recent Seizures Strengthen Collaboration

Olomu highlighted the recent seizure of 32 containers, which were personally supervised by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) before being handed over to NAFDAC, as proof of a strong working relationship between both agencies.

NAFDAC Commends Customs Efforts

In his response, Dr. Iluyomade commended Comptroller Olomu for his uncompromising stance, describing the seizures as “life-saving.”

“You can kill one or two persons with guns, but fake drugs and unwholesome food can kill a whole nation. Those importing them are practically declaring war on Nigerians,” Iluyomade said.

He praised Olomu as the best Controller Apapa Command has ever had, noting his integrity and commitment to protecting Nigerians. He also confirmed that Customs’ anti-smuggling operations have improved significantly over the years.

Iluyomade added that awards given to Apapa Command under Olomu’s leadership were “truly earned and well-deserved,” while urging additional safeguards to secure seized containers ahead of NAFDAC evacuation.