Nigerian custom intercepts N2.55bn worth smuggled agric produce in March
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Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) has revealed that the agency intercepted agricukturak produce worth N2 .55 billion since the beginning of March this year.
The unit said commodities including 7,201 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 1,172 cartons of frozen poultry products, 1,352 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 72 bales of used clothing and 46 pieces of used tyres have been confiscated.
Muhammed Uba, the area controller during the week said seizures such as 3,352 bags of rice and 669 jerry cans of vegetable oil were carried out along Iseyin area of Oyo and Osun.
‘‘The evacuation of 1,235 bags of rice from a warehouse in Ogbomosho based on credible intelligence despite resistance,’’ he said.
Uba said the move was in tandem with the ban on the import of foreign rice through land borders.
The Area controller informed that 3,351 bags of parboiled rice were smuggled by a truck carrying beer, adding that Customs intercepted six of the seized vehicles along Lekki-Epe Expressway, and the rest at 10 various locations within the unit’s jurisdiction.