Customs seize N5.8m drugs, hand over to NAFDAC in Sokoto

The Nigeria Customs Service, Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, has handed over seized unregistered pharmaceutical products worth ₦5.8m to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and appropriate action.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Haliru Abdullahi, said the products were intercepted by Customs patrol teams along the Illela-Sokoto Road following credible intelligence.

Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the command headquarters in Sokoto on Wednesday, Abdullahi explained that the seizure formed part of efforts to stop the circulation of unregistered drugs and protect public health.

He listed the seized items as 360 packages of anti-cold drugs, 500 packages of amodiaquine, 140 packages of paracetamol and 100 packages of quinine, with a total Duty Paid Value of ₦5,804,062.06. He attributed the seizure to the commitment of the command’s patrol teams and reliable intelligence.

According to him, importing unregistered pharmaceutical products violates Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and NAFDAC regulations.

He warned smugglers and dealers in such drugs to stop the illegal trade, stressing that the command would not tolerate activities that endanger public health.

“Let me use this opportunity to warn smugglers and those who deal in such unwholesome products that the Sokoto/Zamfara Command, under my watch, will not tolerate any form of smuggling.

“We remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding the health of citizens and the nation’s economy,” he said.

The acting controller praised the officers involved in the interception and acknowledged NAFDAC’s continued partnership with the Customs Service in tackling the circulation of prohibited and unregistered products.

He then handed the seized items over to NAFDAC officials.

Receiving the products on behalf of the agency, the NAFDAC State Coordinator in Sokoto, AbduSalam Lawal, commended Customs for its collaboration and efforts to rid the country of unwholesome pharmaceutical products.

He said the partnership between the two agencies was crucial to protecting Nigerians from potentially harmful medicines.

“On behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC and the entire management of the agency, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the Nigerian Customs Service for the wonderful collaboration we’ve been enjoying,” he said.

He noted that sustained cooperation between the agencies would help keep unregistered pharmaceutical products from reaching consumers.

“This is the only way we can rid the country of some of these unwholesome products from circulation. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of your men,” Lawal said.

He also pledged NAFDAC’s commitment to strengthening the partnership with Customs to ensure that seized pharmaceutical products go through the necessary regulatory processes.

The handover highlights the role of inter-agency collaboration in combating the illegal movement of pharmaceutical products and protecting public health.

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