Kebbi Customs Seizes ₦223m Toxic Pesticides, Cannabis, 49 Rounds Of Ammunition

By Samuel Egbewole

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, has seized 6,109 cartons of toxic agricultural pesticides valued at ₦223.05 million, alongside 330 rolls of suspected cannabis and 49 rounds of ammunition, in operations targeting the smuggling of hazardous and prohibited items.

The seized consignments were handed over on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for further action.

The Area Controller, Mahmoud Ibrahim-Matawalle, said the seizures were made at different locations within the command’s area of responsibility, including Dandi Local Government Area, Koko and Jega.

He added that the operation was conducted on the directive and with the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale-Adeniyi.

According to Ibrahim-Matawalle, NAFDAC received 6,109 cartons of agricultural chemicals comprising 500 cartons of Rezim Herbicide, 708 of Gramosun, 1,291 of Sun-Paraquat, 1,990 of Gbeledzo and 1,620 of Gramostrong.

The consignments have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦223.05 million.

He said NAFDAC’s inspection established that the products contained active agents that made them highly toxic and potentially harmful to human health and the environment.

The NDLEA received 330 rolls of suspected cannabis sativa valued at ₦2.52 million, while the NCCSALW took custody of 37 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and 12 live cartridges for pump-action firearms.

Customs Warns Against Illicit Trade

The controller commended officers and men of the command for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to duty, saying the seizures reflected the service’s determination to curb smuggling and protect public health and national security.

He emphasised the need for sustained collaboration among regulatory and security agencies to prevent hazardous, prohibited and controlled substances, as well as illicit arms and ammunition, from entering the country’s distribution chain.

Ibrahim-Matawalle also urged importers, distributors and users of agricultural chemicals to comply with applicable regulations and secure the necessary approvals before importing, distributing or using such products.

“The Kebbi Area Command remains committed to strict enforcement against the smuggling and illicit movement of hazardous, unapproved, prohibited and controlled substances, as well as arms and ammunition,” he said.

NAFDAC, NDLEA Commend Collaboration

Speaking at the handover, NAFDAC State Coordinator, Muyideen Suleiman, described the consignment of harmful agricultural chemicals as the largest of its kind handed over to the agency in the North-West Zone.

He acknowledged the Customs Service’s contribution to the agency’s regulatory work, stressing that inter-agency support was essential to achieving effective results.

“Without the assistance of the NCS, our work will not yield positive results. We recognise its leading and protective role,” Suleiman said.

The NDLEA State Commandant, Rabiu Abdullahi-Sokoto, also praised the cooperation between his agency and Customs, saying their joint efforts had contributed to making the country safer.

“This is not the first time, and it will not be the last. We have been working closely to make our country safe and secure,” he said.

Abdullahi-Sokoto described the fight against drug smuggling as a shared responsibility and urged other stakeholders to support efforts to tackle the illicit drug trade.

Also speaking, Capt. Iliya Dauda (rtd.), who represented the NCCSALW Zonal Director, Navy Jamil Mukhtar (rtd.), commended Customs for intercepting the ammunition and handing it over to the centre.

Dauda said the seizure would complement ongoing efforts to curb the illicit importation and circulation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.