Customs in Katsina State intercepts 40 gas cylinders, contraband worth N58.5millon

• Arrests 2 suspects
• As Chedi Wada warns economic saboteurs

(Report by Udeme Clement):

Apparently, a tough time awaits die-hard smugglers operating in Katsina State, as DC
Dalha Wada Chedi, is leaving no stone unturned in protecting the nation’s economy from nefarious activities of illicit traders.

DC Wada Chedi, who is the new Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC), of Katsina Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and his men just seized prohibited items worth over N58,566, 300.00 (approximately N58.6million), in Duty Paid Value (DPV).

That was not all.
Wada Chedi and his team arrested two suspects in connection with the smuggled items.

Addressing Journalists in Katsina,, the
Acting CAC, disclosed that his team made the seizures from March 24 to April 8, 2021, within just two weeks of anti-smuggling operations.

The seized Items he displayed before Journalists include 866 bags of foreign rice; 181 cartons of spaghetti; 50 jerrycans of vegetable oil; 394 bags of tigger nut; 15 bags of foreign sugar; 10 cartons of macaroni; 18 cartons of couscous and 17 cartons of tomato paste.
Other seizures include 40 gas cylinders and four vehicles used as means of conveyance, among others.

Responding to questions on how his Command made such mind-boggling seizures in just 14 days, he informed : “The successes recorded within this short period were as a result of well designed strategies the Command mapped out against activities of deviant smugglers in Katsina State.

“Also, the renewed synergy among different components of anti-smuggling units in the State assisted the Command in countering activities of economic saboteurs within our area of coverage.

“We are calling on the public to cooperate with the Service to succeed in its anti-smuggling drive. Nigerians should take advantage of various intervention programmes put in place by the Federal Government and key into legitimate trade, instead of smuggling and sabotaging the economy.”

Speaking further, the Acting CAC warned strongly against any form of illegal trade, stressing that his Command will not hesitate to seize contraband, arrest and prosecute those working against government efforts in growing local industries.

Recall that before now, DC Wada was the former CAC of Seme Customs Command, where he made impressive performance throughout his tenure. He has served Nigeria Customs at various capacities, still, he remains focused and result-oriented at all times.