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NAFDAC seals warehouse stocked with chemicals used for explosives in Kano
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has declared that no amount of life threat and kidnap of personnel would deter it from the fight against illicit drugs and unapproved consumables.
The Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, made the declaration when she received containers laden with illicit drugs and expired products seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The illicit drugs, ranging from codeine syrup, reny extra dychlophenic fantamac and many others, were intercepted by the NCS through collaborative efforts with NAFDAC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Receiving the intercepted containers, the Director-General said the handover of the illicit and unregistered pharmaceutical products was a strong demonstration of the partnership between NAFDAC and NCS to safeguard public health and uphold the highest standards of consumer protection.
Adeyeye said: “Today’s handover ceremony represents not just an act of administrative duty, but a strong demonstration of the partnership between Nigerian Customs Service and NAFDAC to safeguard public health and uphold the highest standards of consumer protection.
“A few days ago, the Comptroller General of Customs was at our head office in Abuja in his drive to explore better ways of collaboration in the fight against the importation of fake and substandard and falsified NAFDAC-regulated products.
“Just last week, we were there at Apapa Port to receive, for destruction, 25 containers of unwholesome medical devices.
“This handover underscores the determination of Customs in preventing potential harmful products.
“This effort is not for NAFDAC, but for the interest of the citizens. No amount of threat to life and kidnap of our personnel will dampen our spirit in the fight against substandard and illicit goods.
She vowed that no amount of threats to life and kidnap would dampen the agency’s spirit in fighting against illicit drugs and substandard products.
“We are faced with these challenges; we are at the forefront of the fight to rid the society of illicit drugs and other products.”
Earlier, the Comptroller-General, NCS, and Chair of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Bashir Adeniyi, who performed the handover at Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne, said the illicit goods were concealed in 11 containers of legitimate consumer goods.
“The command has successfully intercepted a total of 11 containers with an aggregate duty paid value of N20,549,999,200.00 as calculated in accordance with service valuation protocols.
“An analysis of these seizures reveals sophisticated concealment practice and systematic attempts to circumvent established import protocols.”
In his welcome address, Comptroller of Nigerian Customs, in-charge of Onne Port, Mohammed Babandede, said the containers were intercepted in collaboration with other security agencies, including NDLEA and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Babandede said the Command was able to achieve that feat due to the excellent collaborative effort as established by the current Comptroller-General of Customs.
The agency also uncovered and sealed a warehouse stocked with 88,560 litres of controlled chemicals, including sulphuric and nitric acid, used for explosives in Kano.
Prof. Adeyeye disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the facility in Kwakwachi, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State.
Adeyeye, represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, said the warehouse contained 60,000 litres of sulphuric acid at 90.5 percent, and 28,560 litres of nitric acid at 68 percent, alongside 330 empty jerrycans whose contents had been dispensed to unknown persons.
“What we have seen here is mind-boggling, I don’t think I have ever seen this quantity of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid together in one place like this before,” Adeyeye said.
The DG explained that the chemicals were discovered by vigilant NAFDAC officers, adding that upon arrival, only the warehouse manager, an employee, was found and arrested.
“The owner is not listed as a chemical marketer. We keep a database to monitor the importation, use and disposal of such chemicals. These acids are controlled chemicals that are not to be handled by just anybody.
“Importing such chemicals requires clearance from the National Security Adviser and permits, none of which the owner possessed.
“Permit and clearance is important because these chemicals are used to manufacture explosives.
“The volume we have here is enough to destroy the whole of Kano if mishandled,” she warned.
According to her, the agency is currently interrogating the arrested warehouse manager to trace the owner, who is still at large.
“We will ensure that he is brought to justice. He needs to explain how these chemicals were imported, and who he was supplying them to. This is a serious national security issue,” she lamented.
Adeyeye assured that the chemicals would be destroyed properly in line with the regulatory procedures to safeguard public safety.
