Customs Intensifies War on Illicit Drugs as Reps Seek Stronger Legislative Backing
Author: Titus Omajali.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its frontline role in combating illicit drug trafficking and prohibited pharmaceutical imports, as the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Drugs and Illicit Trafficking sought deeper collaboration to strengthen enforcement efforts nationwide.
Receiving the lawmakers on Tuesday, 23 February 2026 at the Service’s Headquarters in Abuja, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Timi Bomodi, who stood in for the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted the Service’s sustained crackdown on illicit trade and narcotics smuggling across land borders, airports and seaports.
Bomodi disclosed that within the past year alone, Customs intercepted over 200 forty-foot containers of illegally imported pharmaceuticals, many of which exceeded regulatory limits and were concealed as legitimate cargo.
“It is only left to the imagination what damage over 200 containers of such substances would have caused if allowed into society,” he said.
He further cited significant cocaine seizures, including 22 parcels intercepted at Seme Command and handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, as well as over 1,000 kilogrammes seized at Lagos ports, some hidden within ship hull compartments.
According to him, Customs has intensified intelligence-driven enforcement, deployed advanced scanning technology, established specialised drug-detection units, and expanded capacity-building programmes to stay ahead of evolving criminal networks.
“Across all our border posts, ports, airports and seaports, you are making serious interventions, especially in this area. We are mindful of the impact of this trade on our citizens, particularly our youth. That is why we do not compromise,” Bomodi stated.
He added that the Service has introduced mandatory drug testing for its personnel as part of a zero-tolerance policy and has strengthened operational collaboration through Memoranda of Understanding with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to enhance intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement.
Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee, Timehin Adelegbe, commended Customs for its enforcement successes and clarified that the visit was aimed at fostering partnership rather than conducting an investigation.
“We are not here for investigation; we are here on a courtesy call to collaborate and move ahead together,” he said.
Adelegbe noted that following a public hearing attended by over 300 organisations, the committee resolved to pursue legislative reforms covering tobacco control, emerging nicotine products such as vape devices, bonded warehouse operations, and border management systems.
He also disclosed plans for nationwide advocacy campaigns in Lagos, Port Harcourt and other states, emphasising the need for Customs’ participation to ensure effective outreach and enforcement synergy.
The engagement underscores growing legislative recognition of the Nigeria Customs Service’s pivotal role in safeguarding national security, protecting public health and dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks.
