Customs men and the seized goods.
The
Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command says some smugglers who
came in to the country through an illegal route in Agbaja, off Igbeti
area of Olorunsogo Local Government in Oyo State, have been arrested
with 2000 bags of rice.
The Commander, Richard Oteri, said 40
cars were involved in the smuggling, adding that the bags of rice in the
seizure were worth N20m.
He said, “The command’s combined
anti-smuggling teams intercepted 40 vehicles that were loaded with
smuggled imported rice after a week of effective surveillance and
monitoring.
“In the face of the comptroller general
of customs’ zero tolerance for rice smuggling through the borders, the
service has continued to intensify efforts at border policing to keep
the recalcitrant, unpatriotic Nigerians off this unwholesome business.
“The command has again recorded another
significant breakthrough over these saboteurs who do not have the
interest of our nation at heart.”
Oteri expressed worry over the
unrepentant act of those people involved in smuggling activities despite
repeated arrest of goods, vehicles and the criminals.
He lamented that smuggling of banned food
was hampering the Federal Government’s efforts in transforming the
agricultural sector, especially in the area of rice production.
“Our resolve to deal with this problem
remains unshaken, more so that the present management has boosted our
capacity by the re-training of our men.
“The dedication, patience and commitment
of our men to duty have paid off several times. I also thank other
security operatives in the state for their support in enhancing security
and intelligence gathering in the command.”
PUNCH
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