By Kazeem Waris
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, has intercepted contraband goods worth N721.9 million, including second-hand clothing, cigarettes and unregistered pharmaceutical products, warning that it will intensify its crackdown on smuggling networks operating across the two states.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Haliru Isah Abdullahi, disclosed this on Friday in Sokoto, saying the seizures followed intensified anti-smuggling operations despite security challenges in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Abdullahi said the operations were aimed at dismantling smuggling networks, preventing revenue leakages, protecting legitimate businesses and stopping the circulation of potentially dangerous products.
According to him, the seizures had a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N721,957,021.41 and were made under Sections 245 and 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which provide legal grounds for the seizure of goods liable to forfeiture.
Items intercepted included a used DAF truck, 599 bales of second-hand clothing, seven sacks of second-hand women’s bags, 43 cartons of cigarettes and seven cartons of Akouna coffee.
Other seized goods were pharmaceutical products, including 100 packages of quinine, 500 packages of amodiaquine, 140 packages of paracetamol and 300 packages of anti-cold medication.
The Command also intercepted a carton of analgesic injections, two cartons of Dynewell syrup, one carton of Dynewell tablets and one carton of Clear Cold.
Expressing concern over the health implications of illegally imported medicines, Abdullahi warned that unregistered pharmaceutical products could expose unsuspecting Nigerians to serious health risks.
“Eradicating smuggling will stop people from consuming unregistered drugs that cause grave danger to the health of citizens,” he said.
The Customs chief said sustained anti-smuggling operations would help protect public revenue, promote compliance with import regulations and shield legitimate traders from unfair competition by operators dealing in illegally imported goods.
He added that curbing illicit trade was critical to strengthening Nigeria’s economy, improving revenue generation and supporting government efforts to provide essential social amenities.
Issuing a stern warning to smugglers and their collaborators, Abdullahi said the Command would not allow its area of responsibility to become a safe haven for illegal cross-border trade.
“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 declared.
He urged residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to provide credible intelligence to help Customs identify smuggling routes, track illicit consignments and apprehend offenders.
Abdullahi also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, officers and men of the Command, and sister security agencies for their support in the ongoing enforcement operations.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, protecting public health, strengthening border security and reducing smuggling to the barest minimum through sustained enforcement, inter-agency collaboration and public cooperation.
