January 25, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Customs Service Area Command of Sokoto and Zamfara States has destroyed several smuggling items worth millions of naira but is certified to be unfit for human consumption.
The destruction was witnessed by other Heads of Security Agencies including the Nigerian Army, the Immigration Service and the Agency for Food and Drugs Administrative and Control (NAFDAC), officials among others.
The Controller of Customs, Musa Omale, said the exercise was in line with the Service Mandate of smuggling suppression of, “Section 245 of NCS Act 2023, which empowers the Service to seized goods that contravene customs and excise laws and be disposed of, in such a manner the Service
Omale warned smugglers to desist from the dastardly act which is inimical to the health of Nigerians, the economy and overall development of the country.
He further assured that as the gatekeeper of the Nation’s Border, the Service will not relent in its effort to ensure that goods unhealthy for human consumption and injurious to the economy do not see the light of the day.
Earlier, the NAFDAC Coordinator in the state, Garba Abubakar Adamu, commended the Service for assisting the agency in the fight against unregistered food items and drugs.
He explained that any food items or drugs that did not pass through NAFDAC Scrutiny, Registration and approval are deemed to be unfit for human consumption as their quality and safety are not guaranteed.
In a statement released after the exercise by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, AT Abubakar said the disposal of items by destruction was carried out as a last resort.
“These are unregistered smuggled items that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), certified to be unfit for human consumption.” The statement said.
Items destroyed include unregistered Tomato Paste, Condensed Milk, Alfakher Shisha, Ginger Tea, Maggi and others.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
