The Kebbi State Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 1,080 pieces of donkey skin alongside 371 parcels of cannabis sativa in the state.
The Area Controller of NCS in the state, Dr Ben Oramalugo, who disclosed this at a press conference on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi, said the value of the seized items was N164,815,629.
He said, “We directed our officers to intensify surveillance in all the nooks and crannies of the state, having had credible intelligence on the impending activities of smugglers.
“The following items were, therefore, seized during the period; 371 parcels of cannabis sativa, otherwise called Indian hemp, intercepted at Kawara water side, in Suru Local Government Area.
“We also seized 98 packs of diazepam,10 sacks of snuff, 1,080 pieces of donkey skin, 37 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 300 litres of PMS, 16 bales of second-hand clothing and used Toyota Corolla as means of conveyance, among others.”
Oramalugo also revealed that two officers on duty were killed by suspected bandits.
He said, “On a sad note, while we continue to give smugglers of drugs and other harmful items a bloody nose; we unfortunately lost two of our fine and hard-working officers in the line of duty.
“The sad event occurred on 24th August 2023 at about 0128hrs, when they were working based on intelligence of impending smuggling of drugs along Bunza-Koko- Dakingari road.
“This sad incident, although regrettable, will not deter us or dampen the morale of officers and men of the command”, he said.
While receiving the seized drugs, the State Commandant of NDLEA, Suleiman Usman, commended the Kebbi State Customs Area Command for the gallant work they are doing and condole the command over the killings of their two officers.
Usman said, “This is in line with the untiring effort and drive of our chief executive officer/chairman of NDLEA, Buba Marwa, in combatting the menace of drug abuse and smuggling in the country.”
