The Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has handed over six intercepted trucks loaded with assorted grains to owners in the state in accordance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive.
While handing over the grains to the rightful owners at the Customs House Katsina this Wednesday 13th March, 2024, the Area Controller, Mohammed Umar, said the release of the detained grains to the owners is in compliance with the presidential directive.
Earlier, the Command in collaboration with the Federal Operation Unit Zone B intercepted Six (6) trucks on the 18th of February, 2024 loaded with bags of assorted grains along Kwanar Gwanti, Dogon Hawa road Mai,adua Local Government Area of the State suspected to be on their way out of the country.
Comptroller Umar added that President Tinubu has directed the Nigeria Customs Service to return the grains to the owners on the condition that they would be sold within the Nigerian markets to ensure food security and assuage the recent hardship faced by Nigerians.
To ensure compliance, he stated that the command, in collaboration with the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Federal Operation Unit (FOU B), and the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), would monitor the sales of the released grains to ensure that they are not smuggled out of the country.
He highlighted that the Service under the leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team are committed to fostering constructive dialogue and collaboration with the border communities to ensure security and prosperity in the country.
Comptroller Umar said: “Following the directive of the Commander-in-Chief of the Arm Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to release all assorted grains under the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service, today we hereby formally hand over six trucks and their contains to owners.
“The CGC, during his official working visit to Katsina, passed across the presidential directive, which mandated the returns of detained food items to owners on the condition that they are to be sold in the Nigerian markets.”
He stressed that: “The response to the presidential directives is to ensure food security and alleviate the hardship faced in the country.”
He however, called on the general public to provide credible information to the Nigeria Customs Service that will assist in curtailing the smuggling of food stuff and other essential commodities out of the country.
Receiving the items on behalf of the owners, the Chairman of Mai’adua Local Government Area, Hon. Salisu Mamman NaAllah, expressed gratitude to the President for the kind gesture and assured that the owners of the released grains will adhere strictly to the presidential directive.
He then extended appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs for his recent visit to Mai’adua Community and his prompt positive response to their complaints and commended the effort of the Katsina Customs Area Controller for his cordial relationship with the border communities.
TAHIR BALARABE
Superintendent of Customs
Public Relation Officer
Katsina Area Command
for: Customs Area Controller
13 March 2024
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