By Kabir Dan-Katsina, Birnin Kebbi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area Command in Kebbi State has handed over seized harmful insecticides, cannabis and live ammunition to the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Food Administration And Control (NAFDAC) and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms And Light Weapons (NCCSALW)
Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Thursday at the Command’s headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, the Area Command’s Comptroller, Mahmoud Matawalle said the handing over was conducted in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration and in furtherance of collective responsibility to protect public health, safeguard national security and prevent the illicit movement of harmful, prohibited and controlled substance, as well as arms and ammunition.
He said it was done “on the directive and approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,” Matawalle said.
According to Matawalle, the seized items include 500 cartons of Rezim herbicide, 708 cartons of Gramosun, 1,291 cartons of Sun-paraquat, 1,990 cartons of Gbelezo and 1,620 cartons of Gramostrong at duty paid value of N223,054,385.66.
In addition to the aforementioned items, the Command also handed over 330 roles of what was suspected to be. cannabis valued at N2,520,000 and 37 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition.
He warned importers, distributors and users of all the mentioned items to comply with all the relevant regulatory requirements and obtain the necessary approval before importing, distributing or using such items.
He noted that the Kebbi Area Command remained committed to the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service and to strict enforcement against the smuggling and movement of illicit, hazardous, unapproved, prohibited and controlled substances, as well as arms and ammunition.
