The Kebbi State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has handed over 723 kilogrammes of seized Cannabis worth over twenty eight million naira to the state office of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency in line with the inter agencies collaboration.
The State Comptroller, Joseph Attah while handing over the item to the state Commander of the NDLEA said, the Command seized other items worth over 32 Million Naira within three weeks that includes 8,850 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 16 bales of second hand clothing.
Comptroller Attah, stated that, the cannabis whose street value stood at 28,920,000 naira was seized by the officers and men of the Command along Kamba-Bunza road based on credible intelligence.
While reeling out the Command’s achievements barely three weeks since he assumed duty, Comptroller Attah noted that, the renewed onslaught against smugglers in the State has started yielding positive results.
“After I took over barely three weeks ago, I specifically mentioned fuel and foreign parboiled rice as products my men should keep watchful eyes on. Already our efforts and determination have started yielding positive results”.
Comptroller Attah, attributed the success to the ongoing reorientation and robust stakeholder engagement in the Command.
He stated that, the patrol teams are being reorientated with anti- bunkering team and rapid response squad created, stressing that, the new teams have a mandate to ensure that fuel smugglers do not have a breathing space in the Command’s area of jurisdiction.
“Nothing that can negatively affect security and economy should be allowed entry or exit”, he said.
The Area Comptroller who reiterated the Command’s stand on zero tolerance for smuggling of fuel and foreign parboiled rice equally allayed the fears of rice farmers in the state, saying the Command was ready to support them by putting modalities in place to ensure that, the Command’s renewed onslaught on fuel smugglers does not affect the farmers who use the fuel for irrigation farming in the State.
He added that, the Command is only against those who hide under the cover to smuggle fuel.
Responding, the Kebbi State Commander, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Peter Odaudu, appreciated the Kebbi Customs Area Command for its synergy with the NDLEA to rid the State of drugs smuggling, assuring that, his Command would treat the case in accordance with the law.
Abdullahi Tukur
