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By Correspondent in Lagos.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command, has intercepted and forfeited a 20-foot container laden with expired industrial chemicals, thwarting what officials described as a grave threat to public health.
Our correspondent reports that the seizure was formally handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday in Lagos.
Speaking at a news conference in Lagos during the handover, the Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun, said the container was intercepted during routine cargo examination and found to contain 440 bags of Triple Pressed Stearic Acid, each weighing 25kg, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦36.5 million. He added that the consignment was imported from Indonesia.
According to Adigun, the chemicals were only weeks away from expiration at the time of inspection, adding it is in clear violation of import regulations.
“At the point of examination, the product had barely a month to expire. Our guidelines are clear,products close to expiration are not allowed into the country because of the danger they pose,” he said.
He explained that the container was immediately detained after Customs officers established that the contents violated import laws and posed serious risks to public health.
According to him,approval was subsequently secured for the forfeiture of the container and its transfer to NAFDAC for further regulatory action.
In a related enforcement operation, Adigun disclosed that the command also intercepted a 40-foot container at the Joliz terminal, which had been falsely declared as zipped luggage. Upon examination, the container was found to contain empty suitcases with a DPV of ₦5.01 million.
“This seizure underscores our zero-tolerance stance on false declaration, smuggling and other trade infractions.
“We remain committed to facilitating legitimate trade while preventing criminal activities that undermine national revenue and public safety,”he said.
On revenue performance, Adigun announced that the command generated ₦147.2 billion in 2025, representing a 35 per cent increase over the ₦107.1 billion collected in 2024.
The figure, he noted, significantly exceeded the command’s annual target of ₦109.4 billion, attributing the improved performance to enhanced enforcement strategies, a stronger revenue drive and increased compliance by stakeholders.
The Acting Controller commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management team for their leadership, as well as officers of the command for their dedication.
He also praised compliant stakeholders for their cooperation, pledging that the command would sustain efforts to block revenue leakages and protect public health in 2026.
Receiving the forfeited consignment, the Chief Regulatory Officer of NAFDAC, Mr. Ogunjimi Oluwaseun, applauded the Customs Service for its vigilance and collaboration, assuring that the expired chemicals would be destroyed after thorough investigation, in line with regulatory procedures.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
