Arrests suspect in Kebbi
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi State Area Command, has intercepted 104 parcels of Indian hemp, 359 sacks of diazepam and 70 packs of tramadol.
During the operation, one Suleiman Yusuf, popularly known as Babangida was named as suspect.
Area Controller of the Command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, disclosed this yesterday while handing over the seized items to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Birnin Kebbi.
He said: “On June 11, 3023, based on a tip-off from well-meaning citizens about a vehicle conveying offensive goods into the country, officers from the Command swung into action.
“At about 10.a.m., through stop and search along Kamba-Kyangakwai road, the men were able to identify the vehicle suspected to be carrying the illegal concealment.
“After thorough search and examination, 104 parcels (laptop size of 1kg each) of Cannabis sativa and 99 (5mg) diazepam tablets were found concealed in the vehicle driven by a middle-aged man, Sulaiman Yusuf.”
Oramalugo also revealed that 70 packs of tramadol 225mg and 260 diazepam tablets 5mg, were found by the patrol team on June 5, 2023, abandoned along a footpath in Kamba-Rijiyar Maikafi bush.
The Command handed over the seized items valued at N37.8 million and the suspect to the NDLEA, Kebbi Command, for further action.
He also said the Command had seized various smuggled items in the last four weeks in the state.
He disclosed that the contraband included:107 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 38 bales of second-hand clothing, 1,275 litres of PMS, 52 jerry cans of vegetable oil, one Honda Accord 2014 and a used Opel vehicle, among others with the Duty-Paid Value (DPV) of N64.6 million.
Oramalugo reiterated the Command’s commitment to zero tolerance for smuggling.
While receiving the drugs, the NDLEA Commander in Kebbi, Sulaiman Usman, thanked the NCS for its efforts and collaboration with the agency.
“This is the manifestation of the inter-agency collaborative efforts between the chief executive of NDLEA and NCS to stamp out the menace of drug abuse in our society,” he added.
