The Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over seized consignments of harmful agricultural herbicides, Cannabis sativa and live ammunition to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), respectively.
The handing-over was conducted at the Command Headquarters, Birnin Kebbi, on 8 October 2026. The exercise was carried out pursuant to the directive and approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, following the interception, seizure and inspection of the items by the relevant authorities.
The agricultural herbicides handed over to NAFDAC comprised of Rezim Herbicide, Gbeledzo, and Gramostrong, all in large quantities. Following an inspection by NAFDAC, the products were found to contain active agents that make them highly toxic and potentially harmful to human health and the environment, The Command also handed over wraps of suspected Cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Similarly, the Command handed over Thirty-Seven (37) rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and Twelve (12) cartridges for a pump-action firearm to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for appropriate statutory action.
The Customs Area Controller, Kebbi Area Command, Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle fdc, intently emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among law-enforcement, regulatory and security agencies in combating the illicit movement of harmful substances, controlled drugs, arms and ammunition.
Additionally, the State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Rabiu Abdullahi Sokoto, commended the Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service for its continued cooperation and support in the fight against illicit drugs and other controlled substances.
In his response, the State Coordinator of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),
Muyideen Suleiman, described the handing-over as a significant milestone, noting that the quantity of agricultural herbicides represented the largest seizure handed over by the Kebbi Area Command to the NAFDAC Kebbi State Office and, by extension, one of the largest seizures received by the Agency in the North-West Zone.
Speaking on behalf of the Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), the Centre’s representative, Captain Iliya Dauda (Rtd.), expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, for its sustained cooperation and partnership. He commended the Command for the successful interception and handing-over of the live ammunition, noting that such seizures and their subsequent transfer to the appropriate authority underscore the importance of inter-agency collaboration in curbing the illicit movement of arms and ammunition and strengthening national security.
The programme concluded with the formal signing of the handover notes, followed by the official presentation and transfer of the seized items to the respective agencies. The event concluded with a group photograph of officials and representatives of the participating agencies.
