The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Wednesday set ablaze large quantity of counterfeit goods certified to be unfit for human consumption in Sokoto.
This, according to the Controller of Customs, Sokoto/Zamfara, Musa Omale, is in line with the service mandate of smuggling suppression.
The Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command conducted the destruction of seized items certified unfit for human consumption by the NAFDAC.
The destruction, which took place at Kwanawa dumping site in Sokoto State was witnessed by heads of other security agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Police and government officials among others.
In his welcome address, Omale stated that, “Section 245 of NCS Act 2023 empower the Service to seize goods that contravene Customs and Excise Laws and be disposed in such a manner the Service directs.
“Disposal of items by destruction as we witness today is carried out as a last resort. These are unregistered smuggled items that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control certified to be unfit for human consumption”.
The controller further warned smugglers to desist from the act, adding that such is inimical to the health of Nigerians, the economy and development of the country.
He further assured all 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.
Items destroyed include unregistered tomato paste, condensed milk, alfakher shisha, ginger tea, maggi and others
The Coordinator of NAFDAC in Sokoto State, Garba Adamu commended Customs officers for assisting NAFDAC in the fight against unregistered food items and drugs.
He said: “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.”
