By Miriam Humbe
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.
Superintendent of Customs, Mohammed Tajuddeen Salisu, the Public Relations Officer disclosed this in a statement signed on Thursday for the Customs Area Controller.
The handing-over ceremony was conducted at the Command Headquarters, Birnin Kebbi, on 8 October 2026.
The exercise was carried out pursuant to the directive and approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, 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 National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with a stated Duty Paid Value of ₦2,520,000.00.
Similarly, the Command handed over Thirty-Seven (37) rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and Twelve (12) cartridges for a pump-action firearm to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for appropriate statutory action.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Customs Area Controller, Kebbi Area Command, Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle, 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.
The Controller stated that 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.
The State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Rabiu Abdullahi Sokoto, commended the Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service for its continued cooperation and support in the fight against illicit drugs and other controlled substances.
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 the process.
The State Coordinator of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (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, Kebbi Area Command, for its continued support and collaboration with NAFDAC in combating the circulation of harmful, unapproved and potentially hazardous agricultural products.
He further expressed hope for greater synergy and sustained collaboration between both agencies in tackling the importation, distribution and circulation of substandard, falsified, unapproved and harmful regulated products in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (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 and their subsequent transfer to the appropriate authority underscore the importance of inter-agency collaboration in curbing the illicit movement of arms and ammunition 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.
The event concluded with a group photograph of officials and representatives of the participating agencies.
