The Customs Area Controller of the Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Joe Anani, has enjoined importer and clearing agents to fully comply with the nation’s trade rules to further facilitate cargo clearance at the seaports.

Anani, who made the call during his maiden press briefing at the PTML command at the Lagos port, said: “Compliance saves time, saves money and helps in building a reputation for business growth towards migration into the AEO status.

“Our anti-smuggling and enforcement drives remain intact without compromise. As a command, we are not compromising national security on the altar of trade facilitation.”

The PTML Customs boss, however, noted that the command realised N350.3 billion from January to September, 2025, which represents about 96.64 per cent revenue generation and almost equal to the N362.5 billion collected by the command from January to December, 2024.

According to him, the Command also intercepted a 1X20FT container with marks and number GCNU1275880 falsely declared as supermarket items but upon 100 per cent examination was found to contain pharmaceutical drugs.

He noted that the command has maintained a steady increase in collection despite the teething challenges of the B’Odogwu platform which the command is fast overcoming.

Speaking on anti-smuggling, the CAC said that two containers of unregistered medicines were intercepted include: one WE Tactical made in Taiwan Airsoft pistol, two magazines and 12 rounds of live ammunitions, 1x40ft container with marks and number ACLU9806850 falsely declared as magnetic resonance imaging apparatus but upon examination found to contain 6,262 cartons of antibiotics of various brands.

He added that in line with the CGC’s directive on enhancing customs community relationship, the command’s existing relationships with sister government agencies and other stakeholders have been boosted.

While handling over some of the seized drugs to that Nigerian Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Port Inspectorate Director, Dr Olakunle Olaniran, thanked the NCS for the life saving enforcement drive.

He commended the memorandum of understanding between Customs and NAFDAC as a working pact while urging Nigerians to patronise only registered pharmaceutical vendors.