The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, has handed over a large consignment of seized Tramadol and Natizol tablets valued at ₦180 million to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), reinforcing ongoing efforts to combat drug smuggling and protect public health.
The handover ceremony, which took place on June 16, 2026, was carried out on the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs as part of the Service’s sustained collaboration with regulatory and security agencies in the fight against illicit pharmaceuticals.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs (Administration), Timothy Worsen, described the handover as a major milestone in the collective national effort to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across the South-West region.
Worsen disclosed that the illicit drugs were intercepted along the Ijebu Ode corridor during operations conducted between June 1 and June 11, 2026. According to him, the pharmaceuticals were being transported in a Toyota Hilux vehicle, while two suspects were arrested following intelligence-led surveillance and coordinated enforcement operations.
“The seizure was made along the Ijebu Ode corridor between the 1st and 11th of June 2026. The illicit pharmaceuticals were conveyed in a Toyota Hilux, and two suspects were arrested following coordinated intelligence and the well-executed surveillance operations,” he stated.
The Customs officer noted that the seized tramadol tablets alone have an estimated value of ₦180 million, underscoring the scale of the illicit trade being targeted by enforcement agencies.
He expressed concern over the increasing connection between drug trafficking and the nation’s security challenges, warning that the illegal importation and circulation of dangerous substances continue to fuel criminality and violent crimes across the country.
“It is important to note that the heightened security situation in our nation today is linked to the illegal importation and distribution of dangerous drugs, which act as chemical catalysts for committing various crimes,” Worsen said.
He called for enhanced intelligence sharing, stronger inter-agency cooperation, and sustained enforcement efforts to dismantle criminal supply chains and curb the availability of illicit pharmaceuticals in Nigeria.
The seized items were formally received by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, Martins Iluyomade, who commended the professionalism and vigilance of officers of the Federal Operations Unit.
Iluyomade stressed the importance of sustained strategic collaboration among government agencies in addressing the threat posed by counterfeit and illegally imported drugs, noting that such partnerships remain critical to safeguarding public health and strengthening national security.
The handover highlights the growing synergy between Customs and NAFDAC in tackling drug-related crimes and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to preventing harmful substances from reaching Nigerian communities.
