Customs seizes ‘smuggled goods worth N323m’ in Kebbi

The Kebbi state command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) says it seized N323 million worth of smuggled goods between July and September.

Iheanacho Ernest-Ojike, the customs area comptroller, spoke on Friday in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, during a session with journalists on the command’s activities for the third quarter.

Ernest-Ojike said five suspects were arrested in connection with the seized goods, adding that they had been granted administrative bail.

“We have seized 367 bales of secondhand clothing; 16,300 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS); 74 cartons of different medicaments; and eight bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50 kg each,” he said.

“Others are 180 pieces of donkey skin bundled in nine sacks, two litres of oxidized nitric acid of 35 kg each, and one unit of DAF truck and Toyota Corolla as means of conveyance, among others.

“The combined duty paid value of the seized items is N323, 065, 567.

“The above seizures were possible with the combined efforts of the outfield officers, our intelligence unit, patrol team leaders, other relevant units, sister agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians who provided intelligence.”

The customs area comptroller noted that the command will hand over 180 pieces of seized donkey skin to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS).

He noted that the smuggled medicaments will be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Ernest-Ojike added that the command generated N36.2 million during the period despite the low volume of imports through the Kamba border.

He thanked other agencies, the media, and all well-meaning citizens for their support in the fight against illegal importation.