The Ogun Area command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted two trucks laden with 6, 412 sacks of mosquito coils valued at over N37million.
Addressing newsmen yesterday in Ogun, Controller of the command, Comptroller Multafu Wandu said the items were seized at Idiroko by operatives of the command while on surveillance patrol.
He explained that the mosquito coils were seized not only because they are hazardous but also for breaching the import prohibition order of the federal government.
“On Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016 while on surveillance patrol along idiroko axis, our operatives made a spectacular seizure of two trailer trucks with registration number SMK-40 XD and SMK-36 XD laden with mosquito coils.
“This particular item is number 14 on the import prohibition list. So it is prohibited for import.
“If you light this type of mosquito coil in a room and closed the gate, you will definitely suffocate and it can kill.
“Our resolve to plug all points of entry of these hazardous and all other prohibited items is in its intensity and we shall not relent in our efforts to safeguard the health of the nation and its citizens,” he said.
Wandu said one of the drivers, Usman Abubakar has been arrested while preliminary investigation is ongoing after which he will be charged to court.
He said the command will seek directive from the headquarters on how to properly destroy the items.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.