By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over seized consignments of harmful agricultural herbicides, Cannabis sativa and live ammunition 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), respectively.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by Superintendent of Customs Mohammed Tajuddeen Salisu, Public Relations Officer, Kebbi Area Command.
According to the statement, the handing-over ceremony was conducted at the Command Headquarters, Birnin Kebbi, on 8 October 2026, pursuant to the directive and approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, following the interception, seizure and inspection of the items by the relevant authorities.
The agricultural herbicides handed over to NAFDAC comprised 500 cartons of Rezim Herbicide, 708 cartons of Gramosun, 1,291 cartons of Sun-Paraquat, 1,990 cartons of Gbeledzo, and 1,620 cartons of Gramostrong.
Following an inspection by NAFDAC, the products were found to contain active agents that make them highly toxic and potentially harmful to human health and the environment, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦223,054,385.66.
The Command also handed over 330 wraps of suspected Cannabis sativa to the NDLEA, with a Duty Paid Value of ₦2,520,000.00. Similarly, it handed over 37 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and 12 cartridges for a pump-action firearm to the NCCSALW for appropriate statutory action.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Customs Area Controller, Kebbi Area Command, Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle, fdc, emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among law-enforcement, regulatory and security agencies in combating the illicit movement of harmful substances, controlled drugs, arms and ammunition.
He said the exercise underscores the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to protecting public health, safeguarding national security, promoting regulatory compliance and preventing prohibited and harmful items from entering the distribution chain.
In his remarks, the State Commander of NDLEA, Rabiu Abdullahi Sokoto, commended the Kebbi Command for its continued cooperation in the fight against illicit drugs. He disclosed that the handover was not the first of its kind, noting that the Command had previously handed over similar seized items to the Agency.
He added that the NDLEA had, on previous occasions, invited the Customs Command to witness the destruction of seized illicit drugs and controlled substances, in line with established procedures, thereby promoting transparency and accountability.
In his response, the State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Muyideen Suleiman, described the handing-over as a significant milestone, noting that the quantity of agricultural herbicides represented the largest seizure handed over by the Kebbi Area Command to the NAFDAC Kebbi State Office and, by extension, one of the largest seizures received by the Agency in the North-West Zone.
He expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service for its continued support and collaboration with NAFDAC in combating the circulation of harmful, unapproved and potentially hazardous agricultural products.
Speaking on behalf of the Zonal Director of NCCSALW, the Centre’s representative, Captain Iliya Dauda (Rtd.), expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, for its sustained cooperation and partnership.
He commended the Command for the successful interception and handing-over of the live ammunition, noting that such seizures underscore the importance of inter-agency collaboration in curbing the illicit movement of arms and strengthening national security.
The programme concluded with the formal signing of the handover notes, followed by the official presentation and transfer of the seized items to the respective agencies.
