Onne customs seizes 225mg of Tramadol, 844 Rifles, 112,500 Rounds of Ammo in 2024

The Onne Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the seizure of approximately 64.96 million tablets of 225mg tapentadol — a potent variant of tramadol known to potentially collapse the central nervous system — in 2024, alongside other fake and substandard drugs.

In addition, the command intercepted a shipment of 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of ammunition smuggled into the country from Turkey. Several suspects were apprehended in connection with the illegal importation and are currently awaiting trial.

Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, Hon. Leke Abejide, in response to the revelation, urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), relevant agencies, stakeholders, and all Nigerians to treat the importation and proliferation of illicit drugs and arms as a national emergency. He stressed the devastating impact these have on national security and public health.

The command further reported seizures including:

9.624 million bottles of 100ml codeine syrup

11.679 million tablets of 50mg diclofenac

14.25 million tablets of 5mg benzhexol

15.6 million tablets of 4mg chlorphenamine

25 drums (25kg each) of diphenhydramine hydrochloride IP

480,000 tablets of Stapsiril

108,000 rapid sore throat pills

192,990 microgram tablets of Contiflo

7.665 million capsules of 200mg gonorrhoea antibiotics

38.84 million tablets of Lomotil

600,000 tablets of Sildenafil citrate

2.175 million tablets of 200mg Hyergra (a Viagra brand)

4.83 million capsules of 300mg Pregabalin

According to the Command Controller, Mohammed Babandede, it took officers and soldiers from the Office of the National Security Adviser two days to count the seized arms. The weapons have since been handed over to the NSA’s office for safekeeping. Babandede warned that the quantity of weapons was enough to destabilise the entire southern region of the country had they not been intercepted.

Hon. Aliyu Misau, Chairman of the House Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, revealed that the key perpetrator behind the Turkish shipment had been extradited to Nigeria for prosecution. He warned that the seized antibiotics pose serious health risks and linked the rise in organised crimes — including banditry and kidnapping — to the illegal arms and drug trade.

Committee Chairman Abejide described the cache of arms as alarming, saying it would have created severe national security and public health crises. He called for heightened vigilance, especially with containers moved to bonded terminals which, he noted, often evade proper inspection at entry points.

He also stressed the urgent need to equip Customs with modern scanning technology to improve detection of smuggled arms and drugs. Abejide noted that the Trade Modernisation Project — a $20 billion concession over 20 years — mandates the deployment of scanners at all Customs locations, which is expected to significantly increase revenue and improve national safety.

Praising the use of local technology in Customs operations, he cited the B’Odogwu system as a commendable innovation developed by Nigerians.

Abejide pledged legislative backing to tackle drug smuggling and abuse, and also expressed strong support for improved welfare for Customs officers, including a proposed 100% salary increase.

He revealed that the committee is auditing abandoned projects across Customs formations, particularly those affecting officer accommodation.

Meanwhile, Assistant Comptroller General in charge of the zone, Sambo Dangaladima, informed the committee that, due to the sensitive nature of Onne Command, all officers assigned there undergo thorough profiling before deployment.