Customs Intercepts Contraband Worth ₦722m In Sokoto, Seizes DAF Truck

By Samuel Egbewole 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, has seized a truck carrying contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦722 million in Sokoto.

The Acting Area Comptroller, Halliru Isa-Abdullahi, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday, listing the seized items as 599 bales of second-hand clothes, seven sacks of second-hand women’s bags, 43 cartons of cigarettes and various pharmaceutical products.

Other items recovered included seven cartons of coffee, 100 packages of quinine, 500 packages of amodiaquine drugs, 140 packages of paracetamol and 300 packages of anti-cold medication.

The consignment also contained a carton of analgesic injections, four cartons of Dynewell syrup and tablets, one carton of Clear Cold and unregistered pharmaceutical products.

Isa-Abdullahi said the operation aligned with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, which emphasises consolidation, collaboration and innovation in anti-smuggling operations to secure Nigeria’s borders and protect the economy.

He explained that the suspects abandoned the truck after discovering that Customs operatives were tracking them. The vehicle reportedly underwent some repairs before it was conveyed to Sokoto.

The acting comptroller said the command’s sustained efforts to suppress smuggling had continued to yield positive results despite security challenges in some parts of the states under its jurisdiction.

He said: “Operatives of the command ensured blocking and suppression of smuggling, which have successfully led to the seizure of a used DAF truck as a means of conveyance of the contraband items into the country.”

Isa-Abdullahi called on Nigerians to support the Customs Service by providing credible information that could help combat smuggling across the country.

He warned that the circulation of unregistered pharmaceutical products posed serious health risks to citizens, stressing that curbing smuggling would help prevent people from consuming potentially dangerous medicines.

According to him, eliminating smuggling would also strengthen the economy and support the Federal Government’s capacity to provide social amenities for citizens.

The acting comptroller further warned smugglers and their collaborators to abandon the illegal trade, assuring that Customs operatives would continue to intensify their efforts to frustrate smuggling activities.

He maintained that the command would remain committed to protecting the nation’s borders, safeguarding public health and preventing revenue losses associated with smuggling.