The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contraband items worth N91. 5 million in Kebbi State.
The Customs Area Controller, Mr. Ben Oramalugo, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi.
These arrests, Oramalugo said were made within the past two weeks.
“Our undaunted effort has started yielding positive result in the anti-smuggling activities in the state, during the period, we have recorded 14 seizures of assorted items.
“The items include: 8,975 litres of PMS loaded in 25- litre kegs, 189 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 71 bags of imported sugar and 42 bales of second hand clothing and 36 sacks of used shoes.
“Others are 74 cartons of bleaching cream, 110 solar batteries, 105 cartons of medicine, seven used vehicles as means conveyance and one tanker truck under detention.
“The duty paid valued of the above mentioned items stands at N91.5 million,” he said.
Oramalugo said despite the humongous amount paid by the government to make PMS available to citizens at a reasonable price, some unscrupulous citizens choose to divert the product to neighboring countries for their selfish financial benefits.
Oramalugo averred that the service engaged in anti-smuggling activities to protect local industries and strengthen the country’s border security to prevent terrorists from entering the country.
Oramalugo, while commending stakeholders for their support of the agency called on the public to support the service in tackling smuggling in the country.
