The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ has arrested four suspects and intercepted endangered species including donkey bones, dry meat among other Contrabands Worth N 3,175,084,217.75.
Addressing a press conference and showcasing the seized items, the Comptroller of the FOU, Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu said the interception of the illegal products of donkey perpetrated by some unscrupulous elements with no regard for the lives and preservation of endangered species like the donkey which is near extinction is particularly worrisome.
“It is therefore with a personal sense of sadness to announce that our officers and men on two separate occasions, impounded consignments of donkey bones and donkey meat, respectively, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of about N3 billion.
In a related development, the joint Border Patrol Team(JBPT) North West Zone Sector 4 led by Coordinator, Aminu Abubakar Danmusa also intercepted 136 pieces of Cannabis Sativa(indian Hemp) and 10,000 pieces of diazepam tablets along Kangiwa and Kamba local government areas of Kebbi State.
Danmusa while handing over the items yesterday at the Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) headquarters in Birnin Kebbi said the confiscation of the illicit drugs was as a result of the mutual synergy between the Customs, NDLEA and other security agencies in the zone.
He added that the seized items Duty Paid Value (DPV) is N24,489.951
The Coordinator of Joint Patrol Team however called on more collaborative efforts between the Customs, NDLEA, other security agencies as well as traditional rulers of the seven States under the North West zone in fight against smuggling of prohibited items.
The Commandant of NDLEA in the state, Suleiman Usman commended the effort of the Joint Border Patrol Team and also urged them to maintain the tempo.
Continuing, Comptroller of the FOU Zone B, Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu said “On April 25, 2024, operatives of the Unit acting on credible intelligence intercepted One (1) Truck with Registration Number GGE 526 XL along Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State conveying illicit goods which were brought to Kaduna for further examination”.
He said, upon careful examination the truck was discovered to be conveying 750 sacks of donkey bones. The DPV for the donkey bones was estimated at Two Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2, 363,500,000.00) only.
“Again on May 5, 2024 at about 0310 hours, the operatives of the Unit intercepted Two (2) Canter Trucks carrying Dried Donkey Meat along Kontagora – Tegina Road in Niger State. After 100% physical examination the trucks were found to contain 860 sacks of Dried Donkey meat. Three suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.
“The above illegal trading clearly contravene Section 55 (1) paragraph c and i (1) of the NCS Act 2023 which says that “Import and Exports shall where applicable be subject to prohibitions and restrictions relating to the protection of the health and life of humans, animals, or plants; Controlled goods imported or exported in line with relevant International laws, conventions and agreements with relevant International laws, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)”.
The Comptroller said, the Government is concerned that donkeys are part of rare animals that are being driven towards extinction by activities of unscrupulous elements, and Nigeria is signatory to the international convention for the continued prevention of endangering these species, adding that the Unit and indeed the Nigeria Customs Service will not and cannot fold its hand and allow this illegal trade to continue to take place.
Other seizure of 58,740 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of Anelgin injection that was arrested by the operatives of the Unit on the 2nd of May 2024 at about 1130 hours along Saminaka/Nimbiya/Kafanchan axis of Kaduna state. “The illicit drugs were neatly concealed with motor spare parts but our eagle eye was able to catch up with them. The DPV of these illicit drugs is N167,500.00 only.
Other items intercepted by the Unit within the period under review include 12 vehicles (means of conveyance) 174 Bags of Foreign Rice (50 kg each); 234 Jerry cans of PMS (25 litres each); 109 bales of second hand clothing; 367 cartons of Spaghetti, 50 cartons of Macaroni, 47 Jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil.
The rest items are six sacks of used shoes 100 sacks of snuff, 30 bags of foreign sugar (25kg each) 2,255 cartons of herbicide chemical ,10 cartons of foreign couscous, 235 Bags of Foreign flour (25kg each) and over 100 cartons of general goods.
“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items is N3,175,084,217.75 only”.
The Comptroller said, the officers and men of the Unit are focused, committed and prepared to continue to carry out their assignments with utmost sense of courtesy and unwavering professionalism, stressing that the success being showcased is a demonstration of collective determination to continue to carry out their duty with undivided attention, and without fear or favour.
“Those who wish to try our resolve should have a rethink as we shall be unsparing in implementing the laws and policy directives of the federal government as directed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team.
“Anti-smuggling initiative is fast going beyond old traditional physical measures, the NCS has sharpened its skill in intelligence gathering through improved information technology kits. The era of exclusively mounting checkpoints is long gone, as our Enforcement Unit is up to date in the deployment of ICT assisted intelligence gathering and strategies to achieve our mandate.
