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Customs FOU Zone ‘B’ Seizes Contraband Goods Worth N351.5m in Two Months

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Customs displaying the contraband

 

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, said it has succeeded in seizing 161 various contraband goods with duty paid value of N351,508,658.56 million from November to December 2022.

Recall that the FOU Zone ‘B’ comprises 10 states within the Northwest and North Central geopolitical zones with Kaduna as its administrative headquarters.

The Customs Comptroller of the Unit, Al-Bashir Hamisu, who made this known in Kaduna on Tuesday, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman said the Unit has seized: 2,114 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50Kg each), 126 Bales & Sacks of Foreign Second Hand Clothing, 72 Sacks of Cannabis Sativa, 65x25Kg Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice, 818 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni & Couscous, 8 Vehicles, 102 Cartons of Foreign Carotone Body Cream, 102 Cartons of Foreign Eva Soap, 69x5Litres of Foreign Vegetable Oil, and 30 x 25Litres of Foreign Vegetable Oil.

Other items include Sacks of Foreign Second Hand Shoes, 3 Sacks of Foreign Tomato Paste, 13 Sacks of Foreign Hides and Skin (Ponmo), 113 Bundles of Foreign Textiles, 10 Cartons of Foreign Flavoured Chewing Gum, 7x25Kg Bags of Foreign Flour, 55 Pieces of Foreign Used Tyres, 438x25litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 87x50Kg Bags of Foreign Fertilizer.

In line with the Service’s mandate of curtailing the illegal importation of intoxicants, Comptroller Al-Bashir Hamisu also said that the unit has made what he described as a “spectacular seizure” of 72 sacks of Marijuana brought to the fore another trick by smugglers and means of concealment.

“In this case, the smuggler concealed the Marijuana inside sacks of Cassava Flour (popularly known as Garri). The Operatives of the Unit with the aid of an informant intercepted the Marijuana along the Sokoto-Zamfara axis and brought it to the Office.” He said.

He said that the confiscated Marijuana will soon be handed over to the Commandant National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kaduna State Command, in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration.

According to him, the Unit is gradually achieving its target of suppressing smuggling within the Zone; “it is on record that the Unit made a total 949 interceptions/seizures at different locations in the Zone from 1 January to 20 December 2022 with combined DPV of N2,345,155,577.38 which shows an increase when compared with duty paid value of N1, 319,332,763.00 in the corresponding year of 2021 .” he added.

Commending the tireless efforts of the Customs Operatives, Comptroller Hamisu attributed the Unit’s success to its sharing of intelligence with other sister agencies and effective performance management.

He further enjoined citizens to volunteer information to stem the menace of smuggling in Nigeria.

In the same vein, the Comptroller warned the smugglers to stay off the red zones during the Yuletide season, “I want them to know that our operatives are on red alert and vigilant to tame smuggling activities during the festive period with a view of arresting and prosecuting them.” he added.

He also commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), and his Management Team for their motivation and support to the Unit towards discharging their duties.

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Kano: Skyrocketing price of land in Hotoro area due to presence of Maryam Abacha American University — Agents

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Some land agents at Hotoro GRA have attributed the rise in the price of land in the area to the presence of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria which is situated at Kwanar Maggi in the area.

One of the land agents, Muhammad Najume, told our reporter that the rise in the price started immediately after the commencement of academic activities in the university.

Mr Najume disclosed that a plot of land that was sold at N20 million in 2023 is now sold at about N150 million or above.

“This can be attributed to the economic situation and the presence of the university in the area.

“The skyrocketing has not only affected the Hotoro Area but has extended to the Kawo Community,” he added.

Another agent, Mallam Isa, also disclosed that a house that you should buy at N500,000 in the last 3 years is now N3 million today.

“People are buying old houses to renovate them to hostels that will accommodate students,” said Mr Isa.

Speaking with a resident who is also a house owner, Musa Okuri, said the University has brought massive development to the community with its corporate social responsibility.

Mr Okuri said: “The university management recently renovated one of the community secondary schools which they decided to name after the founder, Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo.

“The establishment of new private universities in Northern will not only add value to the region by boosting its economy but will help in building cities in the area they are located in.

“This is exactly what the Hotoro residents are experiencing today.”

On his part, Usman Yahaya, a businessman at the area who sells Shawarma, Burger, narrated the development the university brought to them.

He said: “Before the university was establishment, we don’t make profit, but now there is security, we make huge profit, and the place has become very busy. This is a massive development. ”

Another businessman who owns a provision store, Ibrahim Haladu, said there is profit unlike before the presence of the university.

“My business is growing, the place is busy, there is employment opportunities and is as a result of the university.” Ibrahim said.

Haruna Tijjani Kwa, a student of Business Administration in the University who resides in Kawo, described the university and the environment as conducive.

“I’m enjoying my stay here, and I’m proud of studying at Maryam Abacha American University.”

Umma Salma Auwal Muhammad, a law student who came all the way from Maiduguri, described the university as one of the best for providing them with a conducive learning environment and good lecturers”.

“I live here at Hotoro, the people here treat us very well, I feel like I’m at home.” She said.

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Nigeria: Rabiu, Galadima, Dantiyye, Barau, Kawu, Andishu top SWAN 2024 national awards list

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Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN would confer various categories of awards on Nigerians that have distinguished themselves in various segments in the sports industry.

The national umbrella body of sports writers is scheduled to hold its national Full Council Meeting in Kano northwest Nigeria.

The outline of events reveal that the national event will commence from.1st to 6th May 2024 in the ancient city of Kano.

The chairman, SWAN National Mobilization Committee, Abdulgafar Oladimeji disclosed that arrangements have reached zenith stages, adding that, it can be confirmed that all planned activities will kick off from May 1st.

According to him , prominent Nigerians have been dominated for the conferment of various categories of awards.

He further disclosed that those to be conferred with the awards includes, Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL legend and Kano Pillars captain, Rabiu Ali.
Others are , former president of the now defunct, Nigeria Football Association, NFA, (Dr) Ibrahim Galadima, Kano state commissioner of information, Halilu Baba Dantiye.

” prominent Nigerians which includes, deputy senate president of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Barau Jubril, chairman senate Committee on sports, Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila and UK based businessman and sports consultant, Moses Andishu.”

He said the awards ceremony will be held at the sidelines of the SWAN Full Council Meeting in Kano.

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One Voice Development Seeks God’s intervention for the release of DCP Abba Kyari

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The group during the prayer session

 

One Voice Development initiative, a non-governmental organization, seeks God’s intervention for the release of DCP Abba Kyari.

The payer session organized by the group was held in Kano

One of the leading prayer warriors, Musa Buhari, said there is nothing that overpowers our Creator and, as such, the need to seek Allah’s help in ensuring the timely release of Abba Kyari.

The prayer session

The prayer session

Abbas Abdullahi Yakasai, the convener of the group, urges President Tinubu to use every legal means available to release Kyari.

Yakasai said Kyari’s service is needed most at this trying moment of Nigeria’s history, due to insecurity spreading in many parts of Nigeria.

 

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