Customs Intercepts Stolen Vehicles Imported From Canada At Apapa Port

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday, announced the interception of two vehicles stolen from Canada and imported into Nigeria through the Apapa Seaport.

Speaking at a press briefing, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Compt. Babatunde Olomu said the stolen vehicles which were imported through a 40-feet container include a 2024 model Lexus 450 vehicles with Chassis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with Chassis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items.

Compt. Olomu said the command also intercepted five containers of cosmetics, used clothing, and Codeine syrup worth N3.247 billion.

According to him, while the Service facilitates trade and collects revenue for the government, it must ensure that the public are protected from imported goods that are injurious to public health and wellbeing.

“As a result of our painstaking efforts, we recently uncovered 6 containers laden with prohibited items mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals.

“Other items in the seized containers are cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country. These seizures are worth a total DPV of N3.247 billion.

“The seizures are Container No. SUDU 8685733 (40FT) was found to contain 1,698 RTPL CSC Cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet.

“Container No. MRSU 4846204 (40FT) was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in the toilet seat. The two seizures have a street value of N2.7billion,” the CAC said.

He said the two containers were intercepted with international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

“Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40 FT) was found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti-marks & 30g Clobetasol cream falsely declared as TRUCK TYRES. Container No. MRSU 3258823 (40 FT) was found to contain Rabeprazole for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycin hydrochloride, cyproheptadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.

“Container No. MRKU 0904594 (40 FT) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada. A 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chassis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chassis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 were falsely declared as food items.

“While container No. SEKU 4716830 (40 FT) was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing, which contraveness the import prohibition law,” he disclosed.

Olomu, however, disclosed that the Command had collected over N1trillion from importers to the coffers of government before the end of May 2025.

He stressed that with the collection, the service would surpass its revenue target of 2025.

“Let me use this briefing to inform you, that having crossed the N1 trillion collection before the end of the 5th month, we have so far generated a total of N1,094 trillion as of 21 May 2025.

“This collection confirms our trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing our target. Like we’ve done before, we are ready to do better this year.

“Our chronicle of outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for us and attests to our capacity to do more.

“For instance, in October 2024, we collected N18.2 billion; on March 14, 2025, we recorded a feat of N18.9 billion, and on 20th May 2025, we made another record-breaking collection of N18.919billion All these were groundbreaking daily collections,” he added.

Olomu, however, warned that officers of the Command were very much ready to uncover concealment and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.

“Finally, let me use this briefing to warn that Apapa Port will remain a no-go area for any unlawful activity and our officers are very much ready to uncover concealment and effect seizures or arrest where necessary,” he stressed.