we’ll continue to frustrate illicit drug business, smugglers – Comptroller Kalla

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi State Area Command headed by Comptroller Hafiz Kalla has restated its undaunting commitment to the fight against transactions on illict drugs and other smuggling activities in the state.

Kalla at a press conference in the state where seized drugs were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agents (NDLEA), stressed that his command will continue to frustrate the plans of unlawful drug dealers and other smuggling activities in the area.

Stating they will fight  the menace untill its perpetrators have wasted all their last resources. He handed over, 632 parcels of 1kg each of Cannabis popularly known as Indian hemp, and two (2) small sacks containing 199 Sachets of 1000 pieces each of Diazepam 5mg tablets to the State Commander, NDLEA Kebbi State Command at the Command Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi.

According to him, the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the illicit items stands at twenty two million, thirteen thousand, four hundred and sixty nine naira (N22, 013, 469).

The Command boss maintained that his men are not leaving any stone unturned, as they will ensure every step taken by smugglers are checked.

He went further to disclose the achievement of his command  in anti smuggling activities.

From the month of January, 2021 to date,  according  to Kalla, the Command made forty seven (47) seizures of assorted items, which include, a recent seizure of a truck loaded with seven hundred and fifty one (751) bags of 50kg each of smuggled foreign parboiled rice concealed under sacks of  onions.

The  Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all the items he said stands at fifty one million, seven hundred and fifty five thousand, five hundred and seventy seven naira (N51, 755, 577).

Kalla hands over to the state NDLEA boss

The handing over he explained was in line with the directive of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), towards strengthening inter agency collaboration,.

“The items were intercepted by the gallant officers and men in collaboration with other units of the Service based on intelligence gathering,” he said.

Kalla further expressed satisfaction over his men’s determination to not only combat smuggling of goods injurious to the nation’s economy, but also to fight against importation of any drugs capable of causing havoc to the youths, who he said are the receiving end..

The sum of three million and nine thousand naira (N3, 009,000) was also generated as fees from auction sales of inflammable items and scraps within the period.

Responding, the State Commander, NDLEA, Kebbi State Command, Mr Peter Odaudu commended the NCS Kebbi Command for the feat and the synergy it exhibited, adding that combating drug abuse and use of illicit drugs was not for the law enforcement alone, but everybody’s responsibility

Applauding the Command’s excellent performance and landmark achievements so far recorded, the State Commander, NDLEA, Kebbi State Command, Mr Peter Odaudu commended Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service for the feat and the synergy it exhibited, adding that combating drug abuse and use of illicit drugs was not for the law enforcement alone, but for all and sundry.

Also speaking in the same vein, the Special Adviser to Kebbi State Governor, Major Garba Rabiu Kamba (Rtd.) appreciated the effort made by the Command in arresting the dangerous drugs and commended all security outfits in the State for the collaborative efforts existing among them in rooting out crime in the State.

Comptroller Kalla therefore urged Nigerians to seek for more lucrative business of benefit to desist from illegality, which he said would lead to regrets at the end.