The Nigeria Customs Service has embarked on a nationwide operation to destroy illicit pharmaceutical products in collaboration with other relevant agencies across the nation.

The operation, which was made known to the public on the Nigeria Customs Service verified handle on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, ACG Timi Bomodi, from the Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation Department of the service led the operation at the Alaro dumpsite in Epe, Lagos State.

Bomodi, who also chairs a committee on identifying, isolating, evacuating, and destroying illegal imports established by the National Security Adviser (NSA), highlighted the operation as having impact, noting that the operation is essential for public health safety.

Bomodi said, “These are offensive items, they are fake, not registered, and they pose a serious health challenge to Nigerians. Also,
I say this for security too, because some of these pharmaceuticals have been identified as items that elements causing trouble in society use.”

He pointed out that while the exercise is very important, the offenders who bring in these drugs are going to be prosecuted, as several cases are already in the court of law.

He disclosed that beyond the seizing and destruction of these illicit goods, authorities are already investigating the illicit products’ origin and importation methods.

He said, “We would go beyond just looking at what they are bringing in, but also at their country of origin. We are looking at previous imports, historical antecedents of the importers, and even the agencies that help bring these drugs in.”

Also speaking at the event on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Commodore Kelechi Ogbonna reiterated the commitment of the government to eradicate the menace.

He said, “It is important to reiterate the position of the NSA on the importance of eradicating the menace when it comes to such illicit, substandard, and contraband pharmaceuticals. The NSA boss is very passionate about it, that such items and substances of abuse do not and must not in any way get back to society.”

The operation saw over 88 containers of the illicit drugs destroyed in Lagos, while in Port Harcourt, 20 containers of the drugs would be destroyed. In Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Kano, and some other states, several containers of the illicit drugs were destroyed.