Food crisis: Customs intercepts 3 export-bound trucks, redirects goods to Nigerian markets

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it intercepted three export-bound trucks en route to the Republic of Benin, carrying 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions, and 18 bags of dry pepper at Ajilete/Idiroko road in Ogun state.

Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu who disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, however, explained that instead of confiscating the items, the unit redirected the trucks to Nigerian markets, where the goods were sold to Nigerian consumers by the owners.

According to Ejibunu, the move is in line with the Federal Government policies at ensuring food security as well as addressing the high cost of living which the Comptroller General of Customs and the management are pursuing with vigor.

Ejibunu said the unit also intercepted foreign parboiled rice concealed in petroleum jerrycans along Ajilete in Ogun state.

Expressing concern over the new tactics by smugglers, Ejibunu said the practice, is not only illegal but also poses health risks to consumers.

The Customs boss noted that despite the various antics deployed by smugglers and economic saboteurs to beat Customs checks, the unit in February 2024 achieved 93 seizures with a duty paid value of N751,127,025.

He said nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures, reflecting the unit’s commitment to preventing smuggling and protecting the national economy.

“Due to violation of various sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and the federal government import and export prohibition guidelines, we vigorously and relentlessly prosecuted our anti-smuggling campaign which resulted in a total number of 93 seizures, arrest of 9 suspects made to prevent smuggling and protect our national economy. The seizures made are worth a total duty paid value of N751,127,025

“These outcomes were achieved despite the unrepentant behaviours of economic saboteurs who deploy many tricks and antics to beat our checks but they failed.

“A reference case is the smuggling of foreign parboiled rice in petroleum jerrycans along Ajilete in Ogun state which is not only illegal but also exposes the potential consumers to the risk of eating contaminated grains that have ingested poisonous properties possibly from premium motor spirit (PMS), diesel, or other petroleum products.

Ejibunu said the unit also prevented the smuggling of eleven exotic used vehicles worth over N200 million into the country.

According to him, the unit’s firm resistance against duty evasion resulted in the recovery of N78,164,255.20 in revenue, deposited into the federation account through demand notices on underpaid customs duties.

Ejibunu said rice remained a top item in the February 2024 seizures, with a total of 3,779 X 50kg bags of suspected foreign rice seized, equivalent to over 7 trailer loads worth over N365 million from various parts of the South West.

Other items seized included a locally made gun and six pieces of empty cartridges at Abeokuta road, 731 parcels of Indian hemp weighing 482kg, 1 X 40ft container found to contain 286 cartons of new rubber slippers, 7 units of used motorcycles, 28,000 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) and 2,420 pieces of used tyres.

As the Easter celebration approaches, Ejibunu assured that the unit has strengthened its intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations to prevent any attempts by smugglers and duty evaders to circumvent the law.