The Nigeria Customs Service has impounded 3529 bags of imported rice valued at over N62million and 29 used vehicles otherwise known as ‘tokumbo’ with paid value of N32, 333, 500 in the last quarter of the year.
Customs area controller in charge of Niger and Kogi states, Yusuf Abba-Kassim, stated this Thursday in a press briefing in Minna.
He explained that the command also impounded 1018 bales of second- hand clothing with paid value of N48, 912, 000 during the same period.
The area controller said most of the impounded rice was concealed in DAF diesel tankers, warning that the service would continue to deal decisively with smugglers no matter how hard they try to beat security surveillance.
He said, “It is worrisome to note that some Nigerians remain un repentant even as they continue to lose. Not even the Federal Government’s visible efforts in transforming the agricultural sector especially in the area of rice production as well as increasing prevalence of of expired imported rice with its hazardous health implications have touched their conscience to avoid rice smuggling”.
He stated that all those arrested in connection with rice smuggling and illegal importation of vehicles will now face prosecution, adding that the arrest of diesel drivers involved in smuggling of rice should serve as deterrent to other recalcitrant saboteurs of Nigeria economy.
