The Nigeria Customs Services, Seme Area Command in collaboration with NAFDAC, Port Health Services and other security agencies at the border post on Wednesday destroyed large quantity of recently seized rotten hide and skin popularly known as ponmo.
Speaking to news men at the border station, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba disclosed that the destruction is based on the directives of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, as a form of community service to the public. It is on this note that seizure of this nature are destroyed immediately knowing fully well its health implications.
The OC NAFDAC Seme border, Dr Nura Audu added that the said items had been preserved with a chemical called formaldehyde which is a chemical used in preserving corpses and dangerous to human health, as it remains unfit for human consumption.
Earlier, the command handed over to National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Seme Border, 1726x914kg parcels of cannabis sativa that was also recently seized.
Uba at the handling over ceremony stated that the command is handing over the seized cannabis sativa to the relevant agency saddled with the constitutional responsibilities of handling the items in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration.
He emphasized that one can only imagine what would have happened if the quantum of the said cannabis is allowed to enter the country.
The command boss also handed over suspect, arrested with 114 parcels concealed in a Toyota highlander jeep for onward prosecution.
Thanking the Controller for the continuous synergy, Mr Udotong Essien , NDLEA Seme said that the suspect will be diligently prosecuted according to the law.