The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it has intensified surveillance and security at all land borders in the North West Zone to crack down on contraband smugglers and food hoarders in the zone.
This is accordingto the Director of theArmy’s Zone B Federal Operations Unit, Dalha Chedi, whosaid smugglers are smugglingcontrabandintothecountry using dangerous routes controlledbybandits in Katsina and Zamfara states.Thishappenedwhen the alarmwassounded.
He said this on Friday while presentingoverN1.9billionworthofcontraband seized from smugglers in January andFebruary.
Cheddi said the executive order to close borders with Niger Republic and other countries remains in force, adding that the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with other security agencies, is working to close all land borders and dangerous areas in the north-west. He explained that surveillance of the area is being strengthened. North-central zone to checkmate smugglers ‘activities.
On February 3, 2024, operatives of the unit arrested three trucks along the Gumel-Kano road in Jigawa State. The arrest was made based on information from the intelligence network at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja on suspicion of transporting prohibited items.”
“A complete physical inspection was conducted on the grounds of the Kano/Jigawa Headquarters, and it was discovered that three trucks were loaded with 5,076 cartons of foreign soap, 703 bales of foreign used clothing, and 925 bales of other items.” Cartons contained macaroni, 320 bales of foreign textiles, and 12 jumbo bags of used foreign shoes.
“Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure and detained at the Kano/Jigawa Command. They were granted bail pending completion of the ongoing investigation.” He stressed that the country’s borders are highly porous, making customs surveillance difficult, especially in areas where banditry is present.
The Auditor General announced that Customs in collaboration with other security agencies will close all illegal borders in areas such as Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi.
