… NAFDAC Director Applauds Apapa Command’s Uncompromising Stance
The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, has reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to staying ahead of smugglers through the consistent use of intelligence-driven operations and uncompromising enforcement measures to stop prohibited items from entering the country.
Comptroller Olomu made this known on Monday, 18 August 2025, while receiving Dr. Martin Iluyomade, fsi, Director of the Inspection and Enforcement Directorate at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), during an official visit to the Command.
He noted that despite the evolving tactics of smugglers such as the use of fake registration numbers and false declarations these schemes have continually failed due to the Command’s vigilance and strategic operations.
According to a press statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs JT Ayagbalo, Comptroller Olomu assured the visiting Director who also serves as Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Fake, Substandard Drugs, and Unwholesome Processed Foods of the Command’s full commitment to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Director-General of NAFDAC. This partnership, he emphasized, is central to curbing the smuggling of products regulated by NAFDAC.
While urging NAFDAC to expedite action in evacuating handed over containers from the port , the Area Controller assured that efforts will be sustained to achieve arrest of suspects and hand them over with the seizures.
The CAC added that arresting the persons involved in the acts is a major step to demobilize the human element influence in the smuggling supply chain cycle and deter others from such illegal activities.
He also disclosed that officers under his watch have joined the CGC in imbibing zero tolerance for smuggling and will do the needful to avoid situations where our laws are circumvented for the lives of Nigerians to be endangered by what they eat, drink or by the use of arms and ammunition brought into the country illegally.
According to him, a recent seizure of 32 containers that attracted the presence of the CGC who personally supervised their handing over to NAFDAC attests to the smooth working relationship between both organisations and justifying their recently signed MoU.
Iluyomade commended Comptroller Olomu for being uncompromising and making what he called Life Saving Seizures. He said, “You can kill one or two persons with guns, but you can kill a whole nation with fake drugs, unwholesome food, and harmful medicine. It’s like those importing it are declaring war on the citizens of this country. ”
While describing Olomu as the best Controller Apapa command ever had, he recalled starting his career as a young employee of NAFDAC many years ago and confirmed that customs anti smuggling efforts have evolved for the better.
Iluyomade added that awards of best command given to Apapa Area under Olomu were truly earned and very deserving. He also sought support to secure handed over containers from being pilfered ahead of NAFDAC evacuation.