- “We can’t find the container” for 3 weeks now.- NAFDAC
- Customs: We handed it over to NAFDAC on October 7, 2025″
- One retired Customs officer, 7 others arrested with 92cartons, confessions implicate customs warehouse
In what seems like a theatre of the absurd, the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) and the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control( NAFDAC) have been trading denials over the missing 752 cartons of Calcium Lactate tablets intercepted by Federal Operations Unit( FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos.
The 752 cartons are an equivalent of 1by 20 feet container with the number: ONEU2419369
Meanwhile, one retired customs officer and other seven suspects have been arrested with 92 cartons of the missing products as their confessions have allegedly implicated the officer in charge of FOU warehouse.
The suspects were apprehended by the police at a bus terminal while attempting to transport the exhibits from Lagos to Kano.
Also,upon investigation, the importer alleged that he paid 11million naira to an Assistant Comptroller -General of Customs(ACG)in Abuja, who had promised to release the container they claimed had been earmarked for auction.
But the payment was allegedly made with evidence, yet the container has not been recovered by the owners.
Speaking with MMS Plus in his office before his promotion to the position of ACG, the Controller of FOU Zone A, Ikeja, Comptroller Mohammed Shua’ibu who acknowledged that the container was seized on July 6, 2025 on account of false declaration, asserted further that it was handed over NAFDAC on October 7, 2025 in full public glare of the media.
According to Compt. Shua’ibu, now ACG, the importer declared the content as Aphantee Dexamethasone tablet( B.P-O5MG) while the actual content was Calcium Lactate tablets(B.P 25x1x1000), prompting his men on the highway to intercept the container.
The case was later escalated to Customs headquarters, making it difficult for the FOU to release it to the importer.
Apparently, there is disproportionate payment in collectible duties between both products. Calcium Lactate tablets attract more duties.
MMS Plus reports that while dexamethasone tablets contain anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties used for management of cancers, essentially; Calcium lactate is a dietary supplement used to support bone health and treatment of calcium deficiency.
Speaking with a specialist in cargo clearance and delivery from the port, who chose to remain anonymous, he said that if there was no ulterior motive in that cargo seizure, the ideal and operational reality was for the FOU officials to issue a DN for the importer to pay the difference in duties, raising alarm of surprise that the container was duly released by Customs officers and NAFDAC officials at Apapa port after meeting all the conditions and including100 per cent physical examination.
But the CAC had justified the seizure of the container on highway by his men, saying FOU is the Customs’ police. There could be human errors in cargo release at the ports so “we act as the check to balance the work.”
But in a dramatic twist, the importer alleged that while the negotiation on the release of the seized container was ongoing, someone brought a sample of the same product with same batch number to his shop asking if he would be interested in buying some cartons.
According to him, that was the red flag that stirred them to suspicion and consequent actions that led to the arrest of some suspects who confessed to having access to the consignment through the FOU Zone A Warehouse.
Contacted however, Mr. Joseph Etim, in the public affairs department of NAFDAC,who spoke to MMS Plus on the directive of the director of public affairs, said, ” We are still looking for the container in question. “We are collaborating with other agencies to search for it. We will report back.”
Surprisingly, this search has been on for three weeks now, indicating that something is amiss.
Another twist is that the ACG accused of having collected the 11 million naira through a surrogate cousin of his has exited the Service after his promotion to the position of Deputy Comptroller -General of Customs(DCG).
The case file has however been transferred to the Marine Police from Ebuta Metta Police station where the arrest was consummated.
Recall that the Comptroller -General of Customs(CGC) Adewale Adeniyi had cautioned officers and men of the Service against acts that could bring Nigeria Customs Service to disrepute, urging them to uphold internal integrity.
That was re-emphasized for the umptheenth time at the recently concluded CGC Conference in Abuja.
