Nigerian customs impound N70m smuggled rice, oil

 The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service has announced that it has impounded 10,252 bags of 50kg parboiled rice and 554 kegs of 25kg litres of groundnut oil with duty paid value of N70.38m.

The Acting Controller of the unit, Mr. Turaki Adamu, said in a statement made available to our correspondent that the seizure was made in Saki, Oyo state.

He said, “Our fight against smuggling received a major boost with another milestone when a patrol team led by Assistant Comptroller A. M. Adamu, acting on a tip-off, swooped on two private warehouses in Saki, Oyo State at about 0600 hours, where large quantities of suspected illegally imported 50kg bags of rice and vegetable oil were being stored.

“This area is notorious for hostility and volatility; and expectedly, the team was confronted by armed hoodlums, who attempted to dislodge my officers. In the process, our operatives were able to successfully secure the ground and began evacuation of the consignment. The evacuation lasted for four days at the end of which 19 trucks fully laden with bags of 50kg rice were moved by the team to the FOU Ikeja.”

Adamu added that the unit, in line with the Federal Government’s directive on zero tolerance for rice importation through the land borders and other unapproved routes, last month also seized 11,264 bags of 50kg parboiled rice at the Igbesa creek in Ogun State.

He said, “Like the Saki operation, our operatives were faced with stiff opposition from miscreants and hoodlums at Igbesa, who tried to obstruct their functions. However, they were overcome. We have also made appreciable number of seizures from other areas under our watch.

“In order to protect the investments of organisations and individuals, who have invested heavily in rice farming and production, the unit will work assiduously towards the continuous decimation of smuggling activities. We are fully committed to this mandate as we are mindful of the need to protect the nation’s economy.”