Following the Presidential directives for seized food items to be released to their owners, the Zamfara/Sokoto Area Command of Nigerian Customs Service on Wednesday, March 13, handed over about 15 trucks load of essential commodities to their owners.
At the official hand over ceremony held at the Command Area headquarters in Sokoto, the Comptroller, Alhaji Kamal Mohammad, enjoined the consignment owners to reciprocate the President’s gesture by ensuring that the commodities are distributed and sold at Nigerian markets.
He cautioned against the temptation of smuggling the items outside the country, and warned that the service is on alert to frustrate such a move.
In a statement issued on the Command’s official site,the Comptroller reiterated the readiness of the Command to fully key into the Comptroller General Bashir Adewale’s vision of properly securing the country’s borders ,as well as combat smuggling activities within the country’s borders.
Comptroller Mohammad stated that through the combined efforts of Customs Intelligence Unit and the Joint Border Patrol Team, the command is set to follow closely ,and monitor the compliance level of the owners ,in selling the commodities at Nigerian markets .
He also announced the addition of more patrol vehicles to the Command’s fleet to enable it adequately patrol and secure Nigerian Border Posts
The Source reports that President Bola Tinubu on Monday, March 11, in a move widely perceived as a direct response to the continued escalation of prices of food items , directed the release of confiscated goods to their owners.