Comptroller in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’, Kaduna, Dalha Wada Chedi, said on Friday that the zone just uncovered a newly created illegal route by unrelenting smugglers.

As a result, the Customs Authority in collaboration with other sister agencies has now dispatched about 15 teams to man the route uncovered in the Northwestern part of the zone’s areas of responsibility.

Briefing newsmen on the activities of the zone between January to mid-February 2024 in Kaduna, the Comptroller said his team remained resolute thereby making huge seizures of 27 major items ranging from used foreign shoes, parboiled rice, second-hand clothing, expired powdered milk, juice, vehicle among others to the tune of N1.7 billion duty paid value (DPV).

The customs boss then warned that all borders with Niger Republic remain closed based on the presidential directives.

He said, “because of the border closure, the smugglers have now discovered another road from the Niger Republic through the bandits zone.

“We learned within the past 48 hours or so that two trucks and three J5 conveying smuggling items were confiscated by bandits even though they may have bandits in their arrangement. I’m giving you these examples to show you the desperation of these smugglers.

“They can go to any length even if it means losing their lives; that their newly discovered route has no single security checkpoint. Now that we know, we have a plan with the military, the Police, and the men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to address the situation.

“As we speak, the teams are moving. We have sent about 15 teams to seal up Katsina borders, Zamfara, Sokoto borders, and Kebbi borders. We have already done so at the Jigawa borders. We will not relent until these smugglers are suppressed,” he vowed.

On the seized items he said, “on Wednesday, January 24 at about 2200 hours, the operatives of the unit intercepted one truck conveying 179 bags of tiger nuts (50 kg each) in Jigawa State based on intelligence.

“Also, on February 3, the operatives of the unit arrested three trucks along Gume-Kano road in Jigawa State based on intelligence shared by the Customs headquarters in Abuja on the suspicion that the three trucks were conveying prohibited items.

“100 percent examination physically conducted at the premises of Kano-Jigawa command, the three trucks contained 5,756 cartons of foreign soap, 203 bales of foreign second-hand clothing, and another 125 cartons of macaroni, 320 bales of textile material.

“Two suspects were arrested and detained at the Kano Command in connection with the seizure and they have been granted administrative bale pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

“Also, on February 11, 2024, at about 2200 hours, the operatives of the unit acted on credible intelligence along Tsafe-Funtua road in Zamfara State and intercepted one truck of suspicion of improper importation.

“Further examination revealed that the truck was conveying 75 cartons of expired foreign Joly juice and eight bags of expired milk powder which expired since 2019 and are unfit for human consumption which if not intercepted, would have wreaked havoc in the society.

“Other seizures include 237 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg each), 1,807 cartons of spaghetti and macaroni, 1,707 Jerrycans of petrol (25 litres each), 3,459 sachets of malaria drugs (100 grams each), over 200 cartons of foreign dates, 142 cartons of Yes Cigarettes, 120 pieces of foreign used tyres, many vehicles deposit at the command’s various zones among others,” he added. (Daily Sun)

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