The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, has made significant seizures of contraband goods within the North-West and North-Central zones, valued at over N3 billion.
Among the intercepted goods are 58,750 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of analgin injection, intended for delivery to bandits in the Saminaka Forest of Lere Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
Speaking to reporters, Comptroller Bello of the unit explained that Customs operatives, acting on intelligence, intercepted a truck transporting 750 sacks of donkey bones and meat with a combined duty-paid value exceeding N3 billion.
Bello disclosed that the sachets of tramadol were concealed within the truck alongside motor spare parts to evade detection by Customs operatives along the Saminaka/Kafanchan axis. He expressed concern over the illegal trade, noting that donkeys are rare animals at risk of extinction due to the actions of unscrupulous elements.
Furthermore, Bello revealed that the illicit drugs were intended for delivery to terrorists in the Saminaka Forest before being intercepted by Customs officials.
In a somber statement, Bello announced the seizure of donkey bones and meat, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of about Three Billion Naira.
He detailed the operations, stating that on April 25, 2024, operatives intercepted a truck along the Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State, discovering 750 sacks of donkey bones valued at over N2 billion. Subsequently, on May 5, 2024, two Canter Trucks carrying Dried Donkey Meat were intercepted along the Kontagora – Tegina Road in Niger State, leading to the arrest of three suspects.
Additionally, on May 2, 2024, operatives seized 58,740 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of Analgine injection concealed within motor spare parts along the Saminaka/Nimbiya/Kafanchan axis of Kaduna State, with a DPV of over N167 million.
The comptroller highlighted other intercepted items, including vehicles, foreign rice, petroleum products, second-hand clothing, spaghetti, macaroni, and vegetable oil.
