The Nigerian Customs Service, Kebbi State Area Command, has successfully intercepted a significant haul of contraband goods, including foreign parboiled rice, with an estimated value exceeding N126 million.

According to Customs Area Comptroller Iheanacho Ojike, the seized items also included 10,025 litres of petrol, demonstrating the command’s intensified efforts to combat smuggling activities.

“Barely two months since I took over, the command has intensified the fight against smuggling to curb its menace by engaging in intense patrols throughout the nooks and crannies of Kebbi,” stated Ojike.

“We make use of intelligence to enhance our operations, and we also engage in sensitising the host communities to the dangers of smuggling.”

Ojike emphasized the detrimental impact of smuggling on the economy and citizens’ well-being, underscoring the importance of measures taken to address the problem, leading to the successful seizure of the contraband items.

Among the intercepted items were 212 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 28 bags of second-hand clothing, Indian hemp, rolls of Diclofenac Sodium, diazepam tablets, sex enhancement drugs, expired powdered milk, used tyres, foreign spaghetti, foreign sugar, and vegetable oils.

“The combined duty paid value of the seized items is N126,278,959.60,” Ojike disclosed.

“This remarkable achievement was a result of the resilience and courageous effort of our Operations teams, Intelligence Unit, Joint Border Patrol Team, and collaboration with sister agencies.”

Ojike further stated that the Indian hemp seized would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further action.

Regarding revenue generation, Ojike acknowledged challenges due to the border closure between Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Niger Republic.

However, he noted that despite these challenges, the command managed to generate N7,215,500 in the two months under review, representing a significant increase compared to previous months.