Customs seize N1.8bn pharmaceutical items at Apapa port – Newstrends
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Customs seize N1.8bn pharmaceutical items at Apapa port

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Customs seize N1.8bn pharmaceutical items at Apapa port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized tramadol and other expired, unregistered pharmaceutical products valued at N1.8 billion at Apapa Port.  

As disclosed on the commission’s social media page, the Comptroller General of the NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, stated this during a press briefing on Thursday.

He stated ‘’Today, I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion’’.  

“While our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade remains unwavering, we are equally dedicated to ensuring that any import consignment or export cargo transiting through our ports under customs control is thoroughly checked using our non-intrusive (scanning) measures and physical examinations where necessary.” 

Regulatory breaches and smuggling 

The seized items were not only expired but also lacked the necessary National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) numbers. Some goods were falsely declared to evade duty payments, a clear act of smuggling.  

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The operation resulted in the interception of 12 containers, all in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023. 

In addition to the pharmaceuticals, the NCS confiscated two 40ft containers containing a total of 27,540 pieces of cutlasses and machetes. Adeniyi issued a stern warning to port users, urging them to comply with regulations and vowing to eliminate the businesses of those importing illicit items. 

 “Port containers are on parade today. The owners of these truck containers, we are going to run them out of business and use them as a deterrent to others who doubt our resilience and commitment to rid Nigeria of dangerous products and prohibited items,” he declared. 

The Comptroller General commended the efforts of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, and his officers for their dedication and patriotism in executing this operation. 

 “They have shown commitment, passion, and they have shown that they can indeed be counted when we are talking about Nigerians who are patriotic,” Adeniyi praised. 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recently introduced a Radiological and Nuclear Detection  

The initiative aims to equip officers with the expertise needed to detect and intercept illicit radiological materials. Assistant Comptroller General Malanta Yusuf emphasized that this program will provide crucial technical skills to address these threats. 

Additionally, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier in July signed an Executive Order introducing zero tariffs, excise duties, and VAT on specialized machinery, equipment, and pharmaceutical raw materials. This measure is designed to bolster local production of essential healthcare products, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and medical devices.

Customs seize N1.8bn pharmaceutical items at Apapa port

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Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

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Shawulu Dan-Mammam,Commissioner of Police, Niger State

Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

In a tragic turn of events, kidnappers who abducted a hotel owner, his manager, and a guest in Gauraka community, Tafa Local Government Area, Niger State, have executed their captives despite receiving a ransom of N25 million.

The incident, which occurred early on August 17, 2024, has also claimed the lives of two local vigilantes, Abubakar Muhammad and Ibrahim Garba, who were killed while delivering the ransom.

According to reports from City & Crime, the bodies of the victims were found in the Dogon-Daji Forest, a border area between Kaduna, Niger State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They were subsequently transported to an air force base near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Hussaini Abubakar, the commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Tafa, confirmed that the remains of the vigilantes were buried on Saturday following military clearance.

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Additionally, a man previously abducted from the community about a month ago was rescued with gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at an army medical facility in Abuja.

The abduction began around 1 am when the kidnappers raided the hotel, forcibly taking all the lodgers. Witnesses reported that the bandits fired shots while leaving, drawing attention to the crime. Despite the presence of a security hunter nearby, the individual fled upon seeing the attackers.

Community residents have expressed growing frustration over the escalating attacks, noting that the bandits frequently operate in nearby forests and along major roads, including the Ijah-Koro and Ijah-Gwari roads leading to Bwari town in the FCT.

Gauraka has experienced at least five kidnapping incidents in the past four months, underscoring the urgent need for increased security measures in the area.

Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

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Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

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Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining activities in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, located in Ibieno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

The EFCC announced the arrests on Sunday, stating that its Special Task Force on Illegal Mining, operating in Uyo, carried out the operation based on credible intelligence regarding illicit mining activities conducted by foreign companies in Eket and Ibieno LGAs.

This development underscores the ongoing efforts of the EFCC to clamp down on illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s natural resources from exploitation by foreign entities.

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The agency’s vigilance in addressing illegal operations continues to support the country’s broader fight against environmental degradation and economic sabotage.

“The five arrested Chinese suspects are Zhon Qinping, apprehended on 10 September, and Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng, arrested on 29 August.

“They were arrested at an illegal mining site, where a mineral suspected to be ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral, was being extracted.

“The suspects will face charges in court once investigations are concluded,” EFCC said.

Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

(NAN)

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Katsina community corps arrests suspect supplying hard drugs to bandits

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Umar Shehu

Katsina community corps arrests suspect supplying hard drugs to bandits

The Katsina Community Watch Corps (CWC) has apprehended Umar Shehu on allegations of supplying illegal injections and drugs to bandits involved in kidnappings in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The arrest was reported by Bakatsine, a security expert and Conflict and Crisis Journalist in the Northwest region, via a post on X.

Accompanying the post was a video showing a significant quantity of syringes and Umar Shehu’s confession to his involvement in the illegal activities.

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“GOOD NEWS: The Katsina Community Watch Corp (CWC) in Ɗandume Local Government Area has successfully apprehended a man named Umar Shehu, who was involved in trafficking illegal injections and drugs to supply to bandits engaged in kidnappings in Sabuwa LGA all in Katsina State,” the post reads.

“The security team gathered crucial information from Umar and others, but only Umar’s information appeared in the video while others were not recorded for security reasons, according to an insider.”

Katsina community corps arrests suspect supplying hard drugs to bandits

(PoliticsNigeria)

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