NCS Intercepts Improperly Declared Pharmaceuticals in Port Harcourt, Hands Over to NAFDAC

Published By Ayshatu S Rabo On Feb 23, 2026

NCS Intercepts Improperly Declared Pharmaceuticals in Port Harcourt, Hands Over to NAFDAC

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area I Command, has intercepted improperly declared pharmaceutical products and handed them over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), reaffirming its commitment to preventing unregulated medical supplies from entering the Nigerian market.

ALSO READ: KFC Retains Market Leadership in Pakistan with Record $500 Million Annual Sales

According to a statement issued on Thursday, 12 February 2026, and signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASC I Aanee Barilule, the formal handover took place at the NAHCO Shed, Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. The exercise was supervised by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.

Addressing journalists at the event, Comptroller Atuluku disclosed that the seizure followed routine cargo examination and intelligence-driven operations carried out by officers of the Command in collaboration with other relevant agencies.

“During examination at the NAHCO Shed, our officers uncovered six packages of pharmaceutical products, including Menotrophin 150 IU injections, Progesterone and Isifrane, as well as three packages of medicaments containing Tramadol Ratiopharm injections,” she said.

The Comptroller explained that the consignments were discovered in two separate shipments and were neither properly declared nor accompanied by the mandatory NAFDAC certification required for lawful importation.

“These products were brought into the country without proper declaration and without the required regulatory clearance. No pharmaceutical product is permitted entry into Nigeria without full compliance with NAFDAC regulations, regardless of the importer or the volume involved,” she stated.

Describing the act as a deliberate misdeclaration, Atuluku stressed that the Command would not compromise its duty to safeguard public health.

“Our responsibility is to protect Nigerians from harmful, unregulated and substandard pharmaceutical products. We will not compromise on that duty,” she added.

She noted that the interception aligns with one of the policy thrusts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, which emphasizes collaboration and intelligence-driven enforcement.

Commending the officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit and other personnel involved, Atuluku reiterated that sustained inter-agency cooperation remains critical to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s supply chain.

Responding on behalf of NAFDAC, the Deputy Director of the Agency’s Port Inspection Directorate, Pharm. Adepoju Raufu, thanked the NCS for its vigilance and prompt handover.

“The collaboration between NAFDAC and the NCS is essential in preventing unregistered and potentially dangerous pharmaceutical products from entering the Nigerian market,” he said.

He assured that the seized items would undergo appropriate regulatory procedures in line with the agency’s mandate to protect public health.