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By Steve Agbota
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Wale Adeniyi, has announced that the Service will soon undertake a comprehensive review of the guidelines for licensing bonded terminals across the country. This move, he said, aims to ensure strict compliance with customs regulations and curb the growing number of infractions associated with bonded warehouse operations.
Speaking during the weekend at the handover of 25 containers of fake, unregistered pharmaceuticals and other substandard goods to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos, Adeniyi stressed the urgent need to address the menace of unwholesome imports, especially counterfeit drugs.
“These fake pharmaceuticals pose a serious risk to the health of our citizens,” he said. “As a responsible agency of government, the Nigeria Customs Service will not fold its arms and allow operators of bonded terminals to continually flout the law.”
Adeniyi revealed that the Service has now banned the practice of transferring pharmaceutical consignments to bonded terminals, declaring that all pharmaceutical imports must now be cleared only at designated ports — namely, Apapa, Tin Can Island, PTML, and Onne.
“The decision to stop stemming pharmaceutical products to bonded warehouses is part of our strategic effort to tighten control, enhance compliance, and reduce the circulation of fake drugs,” he stated.
The Customs boss explained that the ongoing review will align licensing procedures with global customs standards, enhance regulatory enforcement, and drastically limit the exploitation of bonded terminals for illicit trade.
He further disclosed that the licensing regime — including operational fees — would also be re-evaluated to reflect present economic realities. According to him, the current license fees, which have remained unchanged for over a decade, no longer align with prevailing fiscal conditions.
“We’re reviewing not just the guidelines, but also the licensing fees,” he said. “Those who can afford the new fees will most likely be serious investors who understand the importance of operating within the rules.”
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The clampdown, he noted, follows the uncovering of serious trade violations in at least three bonded terminals in Lagos. From one of these facilities, NCS has already recovered approximately N1.5 billion in unpaid duties, with an additional N1.6 billion expected to be recovered from another operator.
On the seizure of 25 containers filled with fake drugs, Adeniyi said a deeper look into the contents reveals a disturbing pattern of misdeclaration and calculated attempts to evade regulatory checks.
He praised the synergy between Customs and NAFDAC, noting that this collaboration has led to significant breakthroughs.
“Our partnership with NAFDAC exemplifies strategic collaboration at its finest. The Director-General has provided crucial intelligence — sometimes even at midnight — that has helped us intercept dangerous imports before they hit the market,” he said.
He warned that the Service would not hesitate to deploy its full statutory powers of seizure, arrest, investigation, and prosecution against individuals or companies found culpable in these illegal activities.
“Let me make it clear — if haulage operators, bonded terminal owners, or any other trade facilitators are found to be complicit, they will face the full wrath of the law,” Adeniyi warned. “Our intelligence network and technological capabilities have been significantly strengthened. Regardless of the method of concealment or the nature of documentation, we are now better equipped to detect and intercept prohibited items.”
He commended officers of the Apapa Port Command for their vigilance and professionalism, describing the seizure as a testament to the Service’s dedication to border protection and public safety.
“This operation underscores the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to safeguard the lives of Nigerians and ensure that our borders are not used to perpetuate criminal activity,” he said.
