CGC Adeniyi Commissions Data Analytics Centre, Inspects Cargo Scanner
By Asuquo Nuwak
CGC Adeniyi Commissions Data Analytics Centre, Inspects Cargo Scanner
••• As Apapa customs intercepts 13 containers of expired pharmaceuticals Products worth N6.38bn
The Comptroller- General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has recently commissioned a Data Analytics Centre, inspected the newly installed scanner, showcased seizures of 13 containers of expired pharmaceuticals products, and cannabis sativa (Colorado) at the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N6.38bn at Apapa port.
Commenting during the commissioning of the facility recently at Apapa Customs Command, CGC Adeniyi pointed out the central role of data in modern customs administration.
He further described it as the real currency of international business and critical tool for effective communication and cooperation among global institution.
He said credible data remains the backbone of the Service’s risk management architecture, stressing that the ability to participate effectively in global trade facilitation initiatives depends largely on the availability of reliable data to support decision making and strengthen collaboration.
CGC Adeniyi pointed out that virtually every project through information and communication technology is driven by data, revealing that programmes such as the Authorized Economics Operator (AEO) scheme, risk indicators, rely on accurate and timely information.
Besides, the CGC disclosed that customs organisations across the world are increasingly adopting data-driven system to enhance efficiency and improve compliance, announcing that the newly commissioned analytics centre would play a vital role in strengthening the Service’s operational intelligence.
He commended the Service’s ICT department and the Apapa Customs Command for their efforts in establishing the facility, expressing confidence that the intelligence generated from the analysis of data would significantly improve operational efficiency and decision making.
Aside from this, he urged officers to make effective use of the facility, while encouraging stakeholders and partner government agencies to trust the Service, assuring them that decisions taken by the customs administration would be guided by intelligence generated from data analysis at the centre.
In the same vein, CGC Adeniyi equally commissioned the clinic situated in the new two story building at the command, being part of the ongoing efforts to improve the health and welfare of officers and personnel of the Service.
Still, he revealed that the provision of quality healthcare facilities remains essential to ensuring that officers remain physically and mentally fit to carry out their responsibilities effectively in demanding operational environments.
The CGC Adeniyi took time out during the commissioning of the facility to inspect the newly installed scanner at the APMT, expected to significantly enhance cargo inspection process at the port.
Additionally, he said the scanner system is expected to phase out manual documentation by automatically connect scanned cargo images with electronic declaration s in real time, streamlining the clearance process, improving accuracy and strengthening security checks.
Official report from customs said the technology will drastically reduce cargo dwell time at port, while minimizing the need for physical examination of consignments and improving the detection of the prohibited items.
Commenting during the event, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, described the new facility as the begining of a new era of intelligence -driven customs operations and improved welfare for officers.
Importantly, he said the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Analytics Arena, is designed with a futuristic and data-driven approach to border security.
Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, further announced that the Analytical Arena would house key operational units, including a state of the art Analytic Centre of Excellence, the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), the command’s Clinic and other strategic offices.
Indeed, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba added that the infrastructure reflects the vision of the Comptroller- General of Customs to deploy modern technology and analytics to combat smuggling, strengthen national security and facilitate legitimate trade.
He further said the project represents a success story of the Customs -Pact (Partnership for cooperation in Trade) initiative championed by the CGC, while expressing appreciation to stakeholders and partners whose collaboration, made rapid transformation possible.
During the event, the CGC showcased seizures of 13 containers of expired pharmaceutical products and cannabis sativa ( Colorado) with Duty Paid Value DPV at N6.38bn at Apapa port.
The Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, who disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos, said the seizures were made as a result of direct outcome of the shift toward intelligence-driven enforcement supported by scanning technology and targeted physical examination.
In the same vein, Adeniyi revealed that through careful risk profiling and non-intrusive inspection procedures, operatives of the command were able to identify several containers with irregular cargo profiles that led to further examination and seizure.
The breakdown of the 13 containers and additional contraband items,
include 40-foot container (HASU 4072659) conveying large quantities of expired pharmaceutical products including Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, Chloroquine injections and Diclofenac tablets, Two 40-foot containers (MRSU 4584911 and MRSU 6913370) conveying large consignments of Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate unregistered pharmaceuticals, 20-foot container (MRKU 8830266) conveying 800 cartons of Codeine (TPL CSC) deliberately concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware.
Further breakdown of the intercepted contraband items include 40-foot container (MRSU 5147562) conveying cartons of Artesunate 60 injections, 20-foot container (PCIU 286888) conveying restricted security equipment without End User Certificates, including bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches.
Furthermore, other seized items include 20-foot container (TCLU 3819607) conveying expired muffin cookie biscuits, 20-foot container (UGMU 8692902) containing 36,000 cans of expired Primo energy drinks, 20-foot container (SUDU 1696593) loaded with expired St. Kelvin tomato paste, 20-foot container (TCLU 1923314) containing expired De Truth tomato paste, and 40-foot container (TCNU 7257465) containing 1,700 cartons of Codeine cough syrup concealed with luxury food flasks.
Additionally, he said 40-foot container (CAAU 8375050) was found to contain 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine concealed with 156 cartons of electric kettles, alongside pharmaceutical products seizures including 13 cartons of Bristol brand Co-codamol 500mg and 2 cartons of Zevita brand Co-codamol 500mg.
It is noteworthy to state that officers also intercepted 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa (Colorado) weighing 347.57kg concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle with Chassis No. 5TDDK3DC7DS057669.
It is reported that these seizures amount to ₦6,381,237,988.00 worth of prohibited, expired and falsely declared goods.
Beyond all these, the CGC said the importation of expired drugs and controlled substances remains a direct threat to public health, adding that the concealment of codeine-based products represents a calculated attempt to fuel substance abuse and undermine the healthcare system.
Significantly, he maintained that Apapa Port is no go area for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation.
Though, he added that, the Service has been working closely with government agencies and industry stakeholders to check the issue of port congestion.
But he disclosed that the recent launch of the Green Channel at Lekki Deep Seaport was part of the broader strategy to accelerate cargo clearance for compliant traders and strengthen enforcement against high-risk consignments.
Commenting further, the CGC added that the increasing volume of trade passing through Nigerian ports has made the responsibility of the Nigeria Customs Service even greater, revealing that
thousands of containers pass through Apapa port every day carrying goods that support businesses, sustain industries and drive the national economy.
Beyond these, he said while their mandate requires them to facilitate legitimate trade, they must also ensure that our ports are not exploited by criminal networks attempting to introduce dangerous, prohibited or falsely declared goods into the country.
Significant too, he said the Service has deployed technology-driven enforcement tools to facilitate cargo examination and ensure efficiency at the ports.
However, Adeniyi added that these systems enable officers to examine containerized cargo rapidly, detect anomalies in declarations and identify suspicious consignments without unnecessarily disrupting legitimate trade flows.
In his words: “Current operational data from Apapa Port shows that 3,236 consignments were processed through the Orange channel (Non-Intrusive Inspection – scanning), 5,490 through the Yellow channel (documentary checks), while a significantly higher 21,373 consignments were subjected to full physical examination under the Red channel”.
He also announced that 1,118 consignments passed through the Blue channel and 149 passed through the Green channel, reflecting varying levels of facilitation based on compliance and risk profiling.
According to the CGC’ “This distribution clearly indicates that physical examination still dominates cargo control procedures, reinforcing the need to expand the use of scanning technology, strengthening non-intrusive inspection and combining it with intelligence-driven risk management, will enable the Service concentrate physical examinations on high-risk shipments and facilitate fast clearance for compliant traders”.
He added that their strategic objective is therefore to significantly increase the proportion of cargo subjected to scanning across all major entry points in Nigeria before the end of the year, including Apapa, Tin Can Island, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar and other operational commands.
In his words: “This shift will enhance enforcement accuracy, reduce port congestion and support their broader goal of facilitating legitimate trade, while maintaining robust border control. It is important to emphasize that achieving this target will depend largely on the level of compliance demonstrated by traders and other stakeholders within the port ecosystem.
He explained that as compliance improves, customs will be able to rely more on technology-driven inspection and risk management rather than time-consuming physical examination.
He announced that this is the major reason why they strongly encourage traders to continue improving their compliance culture and take advantage of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which provides trusted traders with predictable clearance processes and faster cargo facilitation.
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