From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Kano/Jigawa Customs Command has impounded assorted contraband items worth over N79.6 million, including several bags of expired fertilizer.
Briefing journalists at the Club Road Headquarters of the Command, Comptroller Ahmad Nasir regretted that unscrupulous elements at the Jigawa border axis are aiding and abating smuggling of contraband goods into the country.
He named to seized items to include 1,608 (50 K.g) bags of rice valued at N35.10 million; 567 (25 litre) jerrycans of vegetable oil worth N7.6 million; 53 bales of second-hand clothes worth N2.05 million; and 1,842 (50 K.g) bags of NPK 15.15.15 adulterated fertilizer worth N13.82 million.
Comptroller Nasir added that his men and officers also intercepted vehicle conveying compressed blocks of dry leaves suspected to be Marijuana valued at N9.56 million; 113 (50 K.g) bags of foreign sugar worth N2.46 million; as well as 20 units of vehicles valued at N8.11 million.
Displaying the items, Comptroller Nasir said about 15 suspects were arrested, adding that arrangments are on top gear to charge them to court for prosecution.
He said that the seized bags of fertilizer were confirmed to have expired, adding that the owners were without authorised certificate from the Presidency.
According to him, “this fertilizer is not good to our soil, and if it is not good for our soil then it is not good to be applied to the food we eat, then it means it is dangerous to our health.
“It therefore means it not good for our economy too, if it can destroy our soil which we are supposed to preserve for the future generation.
“This type of fertilizer can also be used to manufacture bombs. It is not good for us, it is even expired, apart from the security implications -they are supposed to have a certificate from the national security adviser to the president and they don’t have.”
He named other the seized items to include vegetable oil, which was imported from Malaysia.
The Customs boss, however, appealed to good spirited Nigerians to encourage local production of groundnut oil and soya beans oil.
“Nigeria can produce vegetable oil. Importing vegetable oil means killing our indigenous industries and sabotaging our economy. It also means loss of foreign exchange, loss of jobs or employment and threats to food security,” he added.
Comptroller Nasir also hinted that seized Marijuana will be handed over to the authorities of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“Among all the seized goods today, Indian hemp is the most dangerous, after fertilizer. Those who engage in dirty and criminal activities like armed robbery, kidnapping and banditry take this.
“Anyone who rapes a minor must be a good friend of Indian hemp and other psychotropic drugs.
“Let us preach to our young ones to stop the sale and abuse of drugs and Indian hemp. It is to the detriment of the nation. We will not condone it; we will not encourage and allow it.
“We don’t have any other country than Nigeria. If they are not ready to stop, we will help ourselves. The job of Customs is wide. We don’t rely on illegal imports and exports. We go for anything that is not good for the Nigerian economy,” he stated.
