The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has raised fresh alarm over the growing circulation of expired and counterfeit pharmaceuticals following the interception of 91 cartons of expired Tramadol capsules valued at over ₦92 million in Adamawa State.
The consignment was seized during a targeted operation in Mubi Local Government Area, a hotspot for smuggling activities across Nigeria’s northeastern border.
During the official handover to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Yola on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller for Adamawa/Taraba Command, Mr Garba Bashir, described the operation as a vital step in safeguarding public health and national security.
“Had these expired Tramadol capsules reached the public, they could have resulted in mass morbidity and mortality. Beyond endangering lives, such substances degrade our human capital, undermine fair market practices, and fuel drug dependency among our youth,” Bashir warned.
He added that pharmaceutical smuggling fuels organised crime, youth delinquency, and wider social instability. The seizure, he noted, was carried out in line with Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which empowers the Service to confiscate and process counterfeit or hazardous goods.
“This is not just about expired drugs it’s about dismantling criminal supply chains and preventing the infiltration of harmful substances into our communities,” he said.
Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, Bashir noted that more than one million deaths occur globally each year due to the consumption of substandard or falsified medical products, with Africa being the hardest hit.
He confirmed that the confiscated drugs have been handed over to NAFDAC for destruction, with relevant stakeholders to be notified of the disposal process.
In addition to the Tramadol seizure, the Command recorded 29 cases over the past six weeks with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦112.59 million. These included:
20,600 litres of petroleum products packed in 824 jerry cans, 54 cartons of foreign soap, and 64 pieces of donkey skin, prohibited under Nigeria’s wildlife trade laws.
Bashir stated that the seized petroleum products would be auctioned immediately, with proceeds remitted to the Federation Account in accordance with federal regulations.
In his remarks, Mr Gonzuk Bedima, NAFDAC Coordinator for Adamawa State, commended the Customs Service for its vigilance and reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to sustained collaboration.
“On behalf of my Director for the Northeast Zone and the Director-General of NAFDAC, we express deep appreciation for this synergy. The protection of public health is a shared responsibility,” Bedima said.
The collaboration between NCS and NAFDAC marks a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to curb the illicit pharmaceutical trade and protect citizens from counterfeit and unsafe drugs.
