By Joy Enamuna
The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized 440 bags of expired industrial raw material while recording revenue collections of over ₦147.2bn in 2025.
The Acting Area Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Luqman Adigun, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists during the handover of a 20-foot container containing the seized items to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
Adigun said the container, identified as GESU3900612, contained 440 bags of 25kg Triple Pressed Stearic Acid imported from Indonesia. He added that the expired material had a duty paid value of ₦36.56m.
According to him, the container was examined towards the end of 2024 and discovered to be close to its expiry date, prompting its detention to prevent it from being sold to unsuspecting members of the public while awaiting directives from Customs headquarters.
The Customs boss also revealed that the command intercepted another container during routine enforcement operations. The 40-foot container, MSKU 4798018, was intercepted at Joliz Terminal and was falsely declared as zipped luggage but found to contain empty suitcases with a duty paid value of ₦5.01m.
In terms of revenue performance, the command generated ₦147.22bn between January and December 2025, surpassing its revenue target of ₦109.44bn for the period.
The figure represents a significant increase compared to the ₦107.18bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, reflecting a growth rate of about 35 per cent.
Adigun reaffirmed the command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while enforcing Customs laws, noting that efforts would continue to block revenue leakages, curb illegal importation and protect public health and national security.
The seized container was formally handed over to NAFDAC, with the agency represented by its Chief Regulatory Officer, Oluwaseun Ogunjinmi, who commended the sustained inter-agency collaboration.
Ogunjinmi said the synergy between Customs and NAFDAC had helped in preventing falsified, substandard and expired products from getting into the market, expressing hope that the cooperation would be strengthened.
Adigun also noted that stakeholders operating at the terminal had shown improved compliance with Customs regulations, adding that officials at mother ports where containers are first discharged had remained supportive.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stakeholders involved in legitimate trade and the media for their support and objective reporting of the command’s activities.
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