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From Olanrewaju Lawal Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 6,240 items suspected to be explosive substances, along the Yauri-Jega road.
Comptroller of Customs in the state, Iheanacho Ernest Ejike, who confirmed this while handing over the items to the Department of State Security (DSS), Kebbi State, disclosed that two suspects were arrested alongside a canter vehicle and motorbike. Ejike explained that because of the nature of the items, they could not continue to keep it in their custodian for a long time, that was the main reason they are handing it over to the DSS.
He said: “On Wednesday, the 6th day of July, 2022, at about 0715hrs, a team of joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), while on intelligence-based patrol, intercepted an item suspected to be explosives, along Yauri-Jega road in Kebbi State. The team comprised Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria immigration Service, Department of State Security Service and Nigerian Army, led by Chief Superintendent of Customs A.A. Ibrahim (now Assistant Comptroller of Customs).
“A joint examination was conducted in the presence of relevant units (Customs Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit and Command Officers and the suspected items were found out to contain 40 cartons and sacks totalling 6,240 pieces of cap sensitive dynamite explosives (super power 90) loaded on white canter with registration number ZUR 882 ZY.
“Also, a haojue motor bike with registration number JEG 562UQ was also seized alongside the items. Two suspects were apprehended alongside the detailed items; Abdullahi Aliyu (owner of the vehicle), and Alhaji Mustapha Garba Jega (receiver of the consignment). The two suspects have been charged to court where they were remanded.”
Ejike, who noted that each dynamite explosive items are capable of destroying an upstairs building, said the DSS, who are responsible to handle such cases, would be handing over the items in the spirit of interagency collaboration and for continued investigation”.
While responding after taking custody of the items, the Deputy Director of DSS, Kebbi State, Mr. Anthony Oduwalu, commended the NCS, Kebbi State Area Command for the diligent work. He promised that the interagency collaboration, which has yielded a lot of results in the state, would be sustained.
