The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, has handed over seized agricultural pesticides, suspected cannabis sativa and live ammunition to three regulatory and security agencies for further action.

The Area Controller, Mahmoud Ibrahim-Matawalle, handed over the items to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi.

He said the exercise followed the interception, seizure and inspection of the consignments.

Mr Ibrahim-Matawalle said the exercise was conducted on the directive and approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale-Adeniyi.

He said the seizures were made at various locations within the command’s area of responsibility, including Dandi Local Government Area, Koko and Jega.

“The items comprised harmful agricultural pesticides, suspected cannabis sativa and live ammunition.

“Handed over to NAFDAC were 6,109 cartons of pesticides – 500 cartons of Rezim Herbicide, 708 of Gramosun, 1,291 of Sun-Paraquat, 1,990 of Gbeledzo and 1,620 of Gramostrong – with a Duty Paid Value of N223.05 million.

He said, “NAFDAC’s inspection established that the products contained active agents that made them highly toxic and potentially harmful to human health and the environment. The NDLEA received 330 rolls of suspected cannabis sativa with a DPV of N2.52 million, while the NCCSALW took custody of 37 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and 12 live cartridges for pump-action firearms.”

The controller commended the command’s officers and men for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to duty.

“The seizures demonstrate the command’s resolve to combat smuggling and protect public health and national security,” he said.

He stressed the importance of sustained inter-agency collaboration to keep harmful, prohibited and controlled substances, as well as illicit arms and ammunition, out of the country’s distribution chain.

“I urge importers, distributors and users of agricultural chemicals to comply with regulatory requirements and obtain the necessary approvals before importing, distributing or using such products.

“The Kebbi Area Command remains committed to strict enforcement against the smuggling and illicit movement of hazardous, unapproved, prohibited and controlled substances, as well as arms and ammunition,” he said.

Responding, the NAFDAC State Coordinator, Muyideen Suleiman, described the seizure as the largest consignment of harmful agricultural pesticides handed over to the agency in the North-West Zone.

“Without the assistance of the NCS, our work will not yield positive results. We recognise its leading and protective role,” he said.

On his part, the NDLEA State Commandant, Rabiu Abdullahi-Sokoto, said the collaboration between the two agencies had contributed to efforts to make the country safer and more secure.

He stated, “This is not the first time and it will not be the last. We have been working closely to make our country safe and secure.”

He described the fight against drug smuggling as a collective responsibility and urged all stakeholders to join the effort.

Iliya Dauda (retd), who represented the NCCSALW Zonal Director, Navy Jamil Mukhtar (retd.), also commended the NCS for intercepting and handing over the ammunition.

Mr Dauda said the seizure would complement ongoing efforts to curb the illicit importation and circulation of small arms and light weapons in the country. 

(NAN)