The Nigeria Customs Service has made a major breakthrough in the fight against wildlife traffickers and the interception of endangered species, controlled pharmaceutical products, and other prohibited goods in Kano.
The Kano/Jigawa Area acting Comptroller Usman Adamu, at a briefing in Kano, said the seizures highlight the growing threat posed by illegal trade to Nigeria’s environment, public health, revenue and national security.
At the September briefing of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, the Acting Area Comptroller, Usman Adamu, disclosed that officers arrested suspected smugglers, with traffickers found in possession of different species of primates and other endangered wildlife.
More concerning, according to the command, is the condition in which some of the animals were found, with some reportedly sick while others sustained injuries and dislocations.
The command also recorded a breakthrough in the interception of suspected smugglers dealing in unregistered and controlled drugs, as well as other pharmaceutical products.
The acting comptroller said allowing such products into circulation could expose Nigerians to serious public health risks.
Other seizures include food items on the prohibition list and unregistered vehicles, with the combined duty-paid value of the seized vehicles and other items exceeding two billion naira.
The Nigeria Customs Service said the activities of smugglers deprive the nation of legitimate revenue, expose citizens to public health risks, and could aften security challenges.
The command says some of the suspects arrested in connection with the seizures are already undergoing investigation, with handovers made to agencies concerned.
Meanwhile, the command said its revenue generation has also recorded significant growth, with more than fourteen billion naira collected in August—the highest monthly revenue recorded in the history of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
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(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
