Customs seize smuggled goods worth ₦721.9m in Sokoto, Zamfara

The seized goods. Photo: Nigeria Customs Service, Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command

The Nigeria Customs Service, Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, has intercepted smuggled goods with a duty-paid value of ₦721.9m, including second-hand clothes, cigarettes and unregistered pharmaceutical products.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Haliru Isah Abdullahi, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Sokoto.

Abdullahi said the seizures resulted from intensified anti-smuggling operations aimed at protecting the nation’s economy, securing its borders and preventing the circulation of illegal goods.

He said the command had sustained its operations despite security challenges in some parts of the states under its jurisdiction.

Items seized included a used DAF truck, 599 bales of second-hand clothes, seven sacks of second-hand women’s bags, 43 cartons of cigarettes and seven cartons of Akouna coffee.

The command also intercepted several pharmaceutical products, including 100 packages of quinine, 500 packages of amodiaquine, 140 packages of paracetamol and 300 packages of anti-cold medication.

Other seized medical products included a carton of analgesic injections, two cartons of Dynewell syrup, one carton of Dynewell tablets and one carton of Clear Cold.

According to Abdullahi, the total duty-paid value of the seized goods stood at ₦721,957,021.41.

He said the seizures were carried out in accordance with Sections 245 and 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which empower the service to seize goods liable to forfeiture.

The acting controller urged Nigerians to provide credible information to assist the service in tackling smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities.

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He warned that the circulation of unregistered pharmaceutical products posed serious health risks to citizens.

“Eradicating smuggling will stop people from consuming unregistered drugs that cause grave danger to the health of citizens,” Abdullahi said.

He added that curbing the illegal trade would also strengthen the economy and support the government’s efforts to provide social amenities.

Abdullahi warned smugglers and their collaborators to desist from the illegal business, stressing that the command would not tolerate their activities.

“No matter their antics, we will continue to be a step ahead of them. The Sokoto/Zamfara Command under my watch will not be a safe haven for smugglers,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to support the command by providing information that could aid its operations.

The acting controller also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, officers and men of the command, and sister security agencies for their contributions to the anti-smuggling campaign.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, generating revenue for national development and reducing smuggling to the barest minimum.

“We will continue to facilitate legitimate trade, collect revenue for national development and suppress smuggling to the barest minimum,” Abdullahi said.