Comptroller Babatunde Olomu Makes Impressive Anti-smuggling Operations
By Asuquo Nuwak
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu Makes Impressive Anti-smuggling Operations
••• Generates a total of N1, 094 trillion as at May 2025
A critical evaluation of Comptroller Babatunde Olomu’s unique approach to governance, management, and administration in Apapa Customs Area Command of Nigerian Customs Service, especially from the standpoint of ideology, clearly underscores his sense of direction, vision, charisma and passion for effective suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation, increase in revenue generation and collection in addition to a well coordinated enforcement duties of patrolling the nooks and crannies of Apapa Customs Area Command
It is on record that since he assumed office as the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Customs Area Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu phD, has proved to be hard working considering his performance of its statutory functions.
During the press briefing, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu phD, announced that the command has recorded significant successes in intercepting smuggled goods during the period under review.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, stated on the occasion of the press briefing that the Apapa Customs Area command is not sacrificing compliance on the altar of trade facilitation.
Beyond this, he said with the inspiring guidance of the comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, was in the command two weeks ago to showcase 12 containers of seized pharmaceuticals.
Commenting on the performance of the command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu said as a result of their painstaking efforts, the command recently uncovered 6 more containers laden with prohibited items mostly unregistered pharmaceuticals.
Condemning the smuggling activities, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu phD, further disclosed other items seen in the seized containers to contain cosmetics, used clothing and two vehicles illegally imported into the country, with a total Duty Paid Value of N3, 247, 427, 969.00 billion.
The seized items, according to the report is broken down into three categories, with Container No.SUDU 8685733 (40ft) found to contain1,698 of RTPL CSC cough syrup with codeine concealed in 202 packages of water closet.
Meanwhile, another Container No.MRSU 4846204 (40ft) was found to contain 1,690 cartons of codeine syrup concealed in toilet seat, with the street Duty Paid Value of N2, 710, 400.00 billion.
He noted that these two containers were intercepted as a result of international collaboration as well as local networking with officers and men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Further breakdown of the seized items included Container No. ONEU 1153150 (40ft) found to contain 1,584 packages of Globatin anti- marks and 30g clobetasol cream falsely declared as truck tyres.
The report also said Container No.MRSU 3258823 (40ft) was found to contain Rabeprazole, for injection, 25mg Zahifranil tablets, 1000mg vancomycine hydrochloride, ciprophetadine with vitamin B complex, and other pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration number, falsely declared as kitchen wares and tables.
The report further said Container No.MRSU 0904594 (40ft) was found to contain two stolen vehicles from Canada. The report added that a 2024 model Lexus RX 450 vehicle with chasis number JTJCJNGA6R2017707 and another 2023 Lexus RX 350 with chasis number 2T2BAMCAPCO32741 falsely declared as food items.
In another breakdown of seized items, Container No.SEKU4716830 was found to contain 390 bales of used clothing, which contravenes the import prohibition law.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, however said while the command facilitate trade, collect revenue for government, the Service owe Nigerian the duty of protecting them from dangerous imports that are injurious to their health and wellbeing.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu phD, stated that as officers at the nation’s largest, busiest premier port, they are determined to avoid making Nigerians vulnerable to the selfish interests of the merchant death whose stock in trade is to bring in harmful substances.
He pointed out that the command intercepted two cars stolen from Canada attempted to be smuggled into Nigeria.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, said aside from contravening the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, these imported containers with prohibited medical items, also violate the World Customs Organization’s stop 1V, which is a global enforcement operations against trafficking of counterfeit, Substandard and unauthorized medical supplies.
He said, so far three suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures and are at various stages of interrogation to face the full wrath of the law.
During the press briefing Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, intimated the audience that having crossed one trillion naira before the end of the fifth month, the command have so far generated a total of N1, 094 trillion as at May 2025.
Beside this, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu phD, announced that this revenue collection confirms the command’s, trajectory and laudable antecedent of meeting and surpassing its target, like the command have done before, promised to get ready to do better this year.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu phD, noted that the command’s chronicle outstanding revenue collection speaks boldly for the command and attests to the command’s capacity to do more.
He cast his mind back in October 2024, when the command collected N18.2 billion, on March 14, 2025, when the command recorded a feat of N18.9 billion and lastly on 20 May 2025, when the command made another record breaking collection of N18.919 billion.
He told the audience that all these were groundbreaking daily collection.
At the end of the press briefing, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu phD, warned that Apapa port will remain a no go area for any unlawful activity, as officers at the command are very much ready to uncover concealments and effect seizures or arrest where necessary.
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