From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
The Nigeria Custom Service Area Command of Sokoto and Zamfara States has destroyed a quantity of smuggling items worth millions of naira but certified to be unfit for human consumption.
The destruction was witnessed by other Heads of Security Agencies that include Nigerian Army, Immigration Service, Agency for Food and Drugs Administrative and Control (NAFDAC) officials among others.
The Controller of Custom, Musa Omale said the exercise was in line with the Service Mandate of smuggling suppression of “Section 245 of NCS Act 2023 which empower the Service to seized goods that contravene customs and excise laws and be disposed in such a manner the Service
Omale warned smugglers to desist from the dastardly act which is inimical to the health of Nigerians, economy and overall development of the country.
He further assured 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.
Earlier, NAFDAC Coordinator in the state, Garba Abubakar Adamu commended the Service for assisting the agency in the fighting against unregistered food items and drugs.
He explained that 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.
In a statement released after the exercise by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, AT Abubakar said the disposal of items by destruction was carried out as a last resort.
“These are unregistered smuggled items that the National Agency for Food and drug Administrative and Control (NAFDAC) certified to be unfit for human consumption.” The statement said.
Items destroyed include unregistered Tomato Paste, Condensed Milk, Alfakher Shisha, Ginjar Tea, Maggi and others.