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By Steve Agbota, Lagos
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday destroyed expired 96 containers of seized pharmaceutical products worth N12.895 billion at Epe dumpsites in Lagos State.
The destruction of the unwholesome pharmaceutical products was witnessed by the officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and officers of NCS.
Addressing the media during the destruction exercise, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Adonye Dappa-Williams said that most of the seized drugs are either prohibited, expired or failed to meet the statutory import guidelines.
“I welcome you all to witness the destruction of seized 96 containers of illicit, prohibited and expired pharmaceutical products such as Tramadol tablets, Codeine cough syrup, Diclofenac tablets and injections, Pramo sexYagra tablets, Black cobra tablets, Sildenafil citrate tablets, Chakapain extra tablets, Mebendazole tablets, Royal chest lung tablets.
“Others are Dr Ibramol tablets, Omeprazole capsules, Cotrimoxazole tablets, Diavita loperamide capsules, Diarrhea stop, Chlorphanamene malfate capsules. We also have other products that failed to meet the statutory import guidelines for destruction e.g. Energy drinks,” he said.
According to him, the aforementioned items have all been condemned by courts of competent jurisdiction with a duty paid value of N12,895,571,288.00.
“As you all know, the harmful effects of these illicit items on our society cannot be overemphasized as it has destroyed countless lives of our youths, families and led to an upsurge in crime in our society.
“Through this destruction, we are discouraging the importation and consumption of these items. Let me also use this opportunity to thank our sister Agencies for their continuous collaboration and synergy in achieving this giant stride.
“Finally, our gratitude goes to the Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) CFR whose purposeful leadership enabled us to achieve these feats,” he added.
Also speaking, NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate Officer, Jemila Ashiru explained that the seizures and destruction of the illicit drugs show collaboration between Customs, NAFDAC, NDLEA and other agencies operating at the ports.
“Most of these products are not registered. Some are controlled and bad. Imagine if this huge amount of uncontrolled and unregistered drugs had gone into the markets, the damage it would have done to our people,” she stated.
However, the Assistant Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Ogbudu Thomas said the approval has been given for the destruction of the illicit drugs, which the agencies involved are carrying out today here.
“And we know how potent and dangerous narcotics and psychotropic substances and other dangerous drugs are harmful not just to the intake by using them but the society. The degree of damage drug does holistically to a nation, it creates health problem for the user, the economic problem for those who are indulged in it as a business because they make illicit money,” he added.
He said it affects the country politically because those who are into drugs are used as political thugs. Drugs damage the fabric of every nation.
He hinted that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) programme is aimed at bringing everyone on board to fight this drug abuse and disseminate information on the dangers of drug abuse.
He said that it is an advocacy programme that has to do with the reduction of the dangers of drug abuse in society.
