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Tag: Apapa Port

  • Customs seize N1.1 billion worth of deadly drugs at Apapa Port

    Customs seize N1.1 billion worth of deadly drugs at Apapa Port

    The Apapa Ports Customs Command has seized illicit drugs worth N1.1 billion, concealed in four 40ft containers.

    The Customs Area Comptroller, Babatunde Olomu, made this known in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Usman Abubakar, on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Olomu revealed that the seized items included 236,783 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine and Barcadin cough syrup, packed in 2,174 cartons.

    Three of the seizures were made at APM Terminals, while the fourth was intercepted at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.

    Describing the operation as part of the Customs Service’s zero-tolerance policy towards smuggling, Olomu provided details of the confiscations: “On October 11, 2024, during a joint examination of a 40ft container with number MRKU0377493, our officers discovered 34,800 bottles of prohibited CSP cough syrup. These expired bottles, packed in 174 cartons with 200 bottles per carton, were smuggled into the country.”

    He added that another examination on the same day at the same terminal uncovered a 40ft container (TGBU8886020) carrying 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in 100 bottles per carton.

     

    Further inspections conducted on October 15, 2024, led to the discovery of a 40ft container (TCKU6800526), which had been declared as essential goods.

    Upon examination, it was found to be concealing 19 cartons of CSJ cough syrup, containing codeine in 100ml bottles.

    At Kachicares Resources Terminal, another 40ft container (SUDU8579006), falsely declared as containing kitchen wares, was found to hold 1,584 cartons of Barcadin cough syrup.

    In addition, 83 loose bottles were also found concealed within the container.

    Reaffirming the command’s commitment to seamless trade facilitation and robust stakeholder engagement, Olomu emphasized that the Apapa Command would maintain its strict enforcement of revenue collection and anti-smuggling operations.

    He warned those engaged in unlawful trade to stay away from Apapa Port, stating that the officers, equipped with intelligence, technology, and years of experience, would continue to expose all smuggling attempts.

    Highlighting the dangers of codeine abuse, Olomu noted that the substance had been linked to nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, impaired cognitive function, and irrational behavior, including criminal tendencies.

    He also reminded the public that the Federal Government had banned the importation of codeine-based cough syrup in 2018 due to its widespread abuse and detrimental effects on young Nigerians.

    The comptroller disclosed that further investigations into the seizures were ongoing, with the goal of identifying and apprehending those responsible for the illegal importation of the banned substances.

     

  • NDLEA intercepts 64,863kg nitrous oxide consignment at Lagos, Imo ports

    NDLEA intercepts 64,863kg nitrous oxide consignment at Lagos, Imo ports

    Men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday intercepted a consignment of over 64, 863.5 kilograms of nitrous oxide known as laughing gas, following its abuse by people who use it for recreational purposes at the Apapa seaport in Lagos and in Imo State port.

    NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, made this known via a statement on Friday, saying that the agency followed a credible intelligence report in tracking the consignment at the Apapa seaport on Wednesday 12th July.

    According to the statement, two containers marked MSKU 7626856 and MSKU 7689448 suspected to contain cartons of Nitrous oxide and plastic pressure release nozzles imported from China.

    He said as a result, a joint examination of the containers was carried out by NDLEA officers, men of the Customs Service and other stakeholders the following day, Thursday 13th July.

    Babafemi said during the search of the two containers, a total of 522 cartons of Nitrous Oxide containing 16,366 packages weighing 64,852kgs were recovered along with the paraphernalia for recreational use.

    The statement reads: “The importer of the consignment, 30-year-old Stephen Eze, and his agent, Michael Chukwuma, were thereafter arrested and detained for further investigation.

    “In the same vein, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on Thursday 13th July intercepted three cartons containing 18 canisters of the same substance weighing 11.5kg heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    A swift follow-up operation was conducted in the stadium road area of Elekahia, Port Harcourt same day, leading to the arrest of the owner of the shipment, 24-year-old Tonye Kalio.

    “While commending the officers and men of the Apapa Port, and their Imo State Command counterparts for being pro-active and swift, Marwa said the clampdown on illegal sale and use of nitrous oxide will continue nationwide to protect young Nigerians from the devastating effects of abusing the substance and in the overall interest of public health.

  • Customs intercepts 9 containers of wood, seizes N78m codeine

    Customs intercepts 9 containers of wood, seizes N78m codeine

    The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted nine containers of unprocessed and semi-processed wood at the point of loading into a vessel.

    The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Mr Malanta Yusuf, disclosed this in a statement, signed by the Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Usman, and made available to journalists in Lagos on Thursday.

    Yusuf explained that the wood seized is worth N70.5 million, noting that an unregistered pharmaceutical (codeine syrup and col caps), with a duty paid value of N78.7 million, was also seized.

    Yusuf attributed the success of the command to inter-agency synergy between customs and its sister agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    “The collaboration with NDLEA has helped in gathering intelligence, leading to seizures of prohibited items as the command acted swiftly based on reliable information.

    “Efforts at making Apapa Port a no-go area for unlawful trade will always be sustained while ensuring that maximum revenue is collected and remitted into government coffers,” he said.

    He said that the unregistered pharmaceuticals were discovered in a container number TCKU 6800526 which was laden with 702 cartons of codeine syrup.

    While arrests are yet to be made, the CAC said investigation is ongoing by the Customs and the NDLEA to detect, arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the illegal importation.

    The Comptroller noted that these seizures of timber and rock balsam contravened Sections 63 and 64 of the Export Trade (improper exportation of items).

    “The command is going to make sure that recalcitrant traders are brought to book and exportation of prohibited items are not allowed to pass through Apapa port,” he said.

    Yusuf reiterated the command’s commitment to surpass its revenue collection of N870 billion in 2021.

    He noted that a total of N95.3 billion was collected in January which surpassed the N54.3 billion collected in the same period in 2021 by N39 billion.

    The NDLEA Commander in Apapa Port, Samuel Gadzama, also promised stronger synergy his customs counterpart to prevent such illegal importation.

    He explained that after going through the normal court processes, the seized drugs would be publicly destroyed in line with extant laws.

  • Photo: Customs, NDLEA, DSS uncover, seize prohibited hard drugs concealed in imported machines at Apapa port

    Photo: Customs, NDLEA, DSS uncover, seize prohibited hard drugs concealed in imported machines at Apapa port

    Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Department of State Service have uncovered and seized cartons of Captagon Pills, a hard drug concealed inside the cylinder of an imported machine at the Apapa Port in Lagos State.

    According to a statement signed on Wednesday by the Customs Area Command Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Usman, the discovery was made through a joint operation that lasted for one week.

    This followed intelligence and painstaking dismantling of the machine by personnel and sniffer dogs, the statement explained.

    Security sources at the port also noted that the seizure is a fallout of a renewed synergy and cooperation aimed at curbing any form of port-related lawlessness.

    The heads of the three services insist that the operation will be sustained in the fight against all forms of smuggling and infractions.

    One suspect has been arrested in connection with the seizure while further examination and counting are ongoing.

    Preliminary findings have shown that long-term use of the drug leads to side effects extreme depression, lethargy, sleep deprivation (insomnia), occasional palpitation, heart and blood vessel toxicity and malnutrition.

    It has also been linked as one of the most common stimulants being taken by insurgents.

  • Amaechi inspects Apapa Port to ascertain Lagos-Ibadan rail completion

    Amaechi inspects Apapa Port to ascertain Lagos-Ibadan rail completion

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, says the Federal Government has extended the Lagos-Ibadan Modernisation Project from its original destination at Ebutte Meta to Lagos Ports.

    According to him, this is to allow for massive freight movement and free up Lagos roads.

    Amaechi made the disclosure while briefing newsmen after inspecting the three mega stations and seven minor stations of the newly constructed standard gauge railway in Ibadan on Saturday.

    The Minister of Transportation was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani; Chairman, Governing Board of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mallam Musa Al-Hassan and the Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhiria.

    They commenced the inspection from the mega station at Ebutte Meta before proceeding to the Apapa Port station.

    To ascertain the level of work at the Port, the minister and his entourage took a train ride to Apapa Port which had been significantly connected to the standard gauge track.

    Inside the port, the Minister frowned at the indiscriminate parking of trucks on the old narrow gauge tracks along the corridor.

    According to him, inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail to all the stations is to put finishing touches to the 157km fast rail.

    Amaechi said that the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC), the contractor handling the project, had connected rail line with the country’s premier port in Lagos.

    “It is not clear when the project is to be commission as the earlier commissioning date of January 2021 was shifted due to the second wave of COVID-19.

    “Sometime in January, over 60 workers on the site contracted COVID-19 which stalled the completion of the project.

    “At the moment, it is observed that most of the mini stations are still undergoing finishing touches while the cooling systems have been fixed.

    “At the Wole Soyinka Station, Abeokuta, another mega station, the cooling system is yet to be fixed as well as other facilities in the interior parts of the station,” Amaechi said.

    He, however, said that the Federal Government was committed to ensuring the completion of all train projects and to ensure that the contract bequeaths to Nigerians a train service that is comparable to anywhere in the world.

    The Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria said that the current frequency of the Lagos to Ibadan train service will be increased from once daily to twice daily in two weeks time.

    According to him, when it commences operation, the passenger train will stop at Agege railway station and Abeokuta enroute Ibadan and back, instead of the present trend of stopping only at Abeokuta after takeoff from Lagos.

  • Lagos, Delta ports await 27 ships – NPA

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says 27 ships will bring into the country petroleum products, food and other goods from Oct. 8 to Oct. 27.
    According to the NPA, the ships are expected to berth at Apapa and TinCan Island ports in Lagos.
    Four of the 27 ships will sail in with petroleum products while others will bring in buckwheat, frozen fish, general cargo, bulk sugar, bulk gypsum and containers carrying different goods, it said.
    Thirteen other ships laden with bulk fertilizer, container and petroleum products have already reached the ports waiting to berth.
    Besides, NPA said five ships with oil, diesel, dredgers and butane will berth at Delta port while eight ships will bring in general cargo, petrol, among others at the same port.
     

  • Apapa port declares N136bn profit in 5months

    …intercepts unprocessed wood export

    The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) in 5 months (January to May, 2017) declared a profit of N136 billion.

    The command also amongst other items intercepted unprocessed wood and scrap metals.

    The generated revenue represents 38.78 percent of N98billion collected within the same period of 2016.

    Mr. Mohammed Jubrin, the Area Comptroller disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos.

    Jubrin noted that the command’s enforcement unit effected a total of detentions including containers of different items, such as frozen fish, medicaments, pharmaceuticals which were either falsely declared and resulted to under payment of customs duties.

    “We have also intercepted and detained some export containers of scrap metal, wet Blue (leather and unprocessed wood which falls under export prohibition.

    “Investigations are ongoing and sanctions will be applied in line with extant laws.”

    Besides the revenue generated from import duties, over N1.8billion was also realized from identified infractions with the period under review.

    Jubrin said that on resumption of office, he explained to his officers that value addition must be a propelling force for the command’s team.

    “This implies that we all must be committed to adding value that will leave the command progressively better each day.

    “The principle over time has been internalized by officers and men of the command hence an impressive result recorded in the first five months of the year.” He added

    He however assured prospective exporters of made in Nigeria products and other raw materials of facilitating flawless trade process.

    In his words: “I have already held meetings will all the critical agencies and we have robbed minds on a smooth operations of the Customs examination centre within Apapa port , the system will continue to be perfected as the project progresses with intention to reduce human contact as well as time spent on cargo clearance,” the Customs boss said.

  • Osinbajo orders 24-hour operations at Apapa Port, issues tough warning to corrupt officials

    Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has directed the resumption of 24-hour operations at the Apapa port and outrightly banned touting by officials or unofficial persons at the port.

    Osinbajo had on Thursday signed three Executive Orders dealing with the business environment, local content in public procurement and timely budget submission. The Orders take effect immediately.

    The acting president said in the Order that, “the Apapa Port shall resume 24-hour operations within 30 days of the issuance of this Order and there shall be no touting whatsoever by official or unofficial persons at any port in Nigeria.’’

    According to the directive on port operations, “on duty staff shall be properly identified by uniform and official cards while off duty staff shall stay away from the ports except with the express approval of the agency head. The FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Security shall enforce this order.’’

    To address the menace of touting at the ports, the Order expressly stipulates that “all non-official staff shall be removed from the secured areas of airports. No official of FAAN, Immigration, security agency or Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) or any other agency is to meet any non-designated dignitary at any secure areas of the airport.”

    Osinbajo also directed that the official approved list of dignitaries that have been pre-approved to be received by protocol officers shall be made available to AVSEC and other relevant agencies ahead of their arrival at the airport.

    According to the Order, “any official caught soliciting or receiving bribes from passengers or other port users shall be subject to immediate removal from post and disciplinary as well as criminal proceedings in line with extant laws and regulations.’’

    “All relevant MDAs at the airports shall within 30 days of the issuance of this Order merge their respective departure and arrival interfaces into a single customer interface, without prejudice to necessary backend procedures,’’ the acting president directed.

    On the harmonisation of activities of agencies operating at the ports, Mr. Osinbajo ordered that “all agencies currently physically present in Nigerian Ports shall within 60 days harmonise their operations into one single interface station domiciled in one location in the port and implemented by a single joint task force at all times, without prejudice to necessary backend procedures.’’

    The new single interface station at each port, the order stipulates, “shall capture, track and record information on all goods arriving and departing from Nigeria and remit captured information to the head of the MDA and the head of the National Bureau of Statistics on a weekly basis.’’

    In addition, the acting president, through the Executive Order, has directed each Port in Nigeria “to assign an existing export terminal to be dedicated to the exportation of agriculture produce within 30 days of the issuance Order.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the acting president signed the executive orders on Thursday in other to open up the choked business environment in the country.

    The signing was the climax of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) meeting at the Conference Hall of the Presidential Villa meant to engage government officials who would be implementing the orders and the new instructions.