The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, has intercepted and seized contraband goods valued at over Three billion Naira in the North-West and North-Central zones.
The confiscated items include 58,750 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of analgin injection intended for delivery to bandits in the Saminaka Forest, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Comptroller Bello, speaking to AAN TV explained that Customs operatives, acting on intelligence, intercepted a truck carrying 750 sacks of donkey bones and meat with a combined duty-paid value (DPV) exceeding N3 billion. The tramadol sachets were hidden inside the truck alongside motor spare parts to avoid detection by Customs along the Saminaka/Kafanchan route.
Bello emphasized the government’s concern over the illegal trade of donkeys, an endangered species, and reiterated the Customs Service’s commitment to halting such activities. He revealed that the illicit drugs were destined for terrorists in the Saminaka Forest before being intercepted by Customs officers.
On April 25, 2024, acting on credible intelligence, Customs operatives intercepted a truck with Registration Number GGE 526 XL along the Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State. The truck brought to Kaduna for further examination, was found to be transporting 750 sacks of donkey bones with a DPV estimated at N2,363,500,000. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.
Again, on May 5, 2024, at about 0310hrs, operatives intercepted two Canter trucks carrying dried donkey meat along the Kontagora-Tegina Road in Niger State. A thorough examination revealed 860 sacks of dried donkey meat. Three suspects were arrested in relation to this seizure.
Another significant interception occurred on May 2, 2024, at around 11:30hrs along the Saminaka/Nimbiya/Kafanchan axis of Kaduna State. The operatives seized 58,740 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of analgin injection concealed with motor spare parts. The DPV of these illicit drugs is estimated at N167,500,000.
Other seized items include 12 vehicles used for transportation, 174 bags of foreign rice (50 kg each), 234 jerry cans of PMS (25 liters each), 109 bales of second-hand clothing, 367 cartons of spaghetti, 50 cartons of macaroni, and 47 jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil.
