Just In: Customs Intercepts 292 Truck Load of Imported Rice

Men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Niger/Kogi Area Command, have intercepted and seized an Iveco truck containing 292 50kg bags of imported rice.

It has been a harvest of seizures for the Command, justifying its committed resolve at reducing smuggling in the country.

The Iveco truck with two different registration plate numbers XD 146 LSD (in front) and XD 146 SLD (behind) was loaded with two hundred and ninety-two (292) 50kg bags of imported rice concealed with sugarcane in order to beat ther officers on routine patrol.

But it was intercepted along Dikko-Suleja-Abuja road of Niger State by one of the patrol teams led by ASC Mohammed Bature. The Duty paid value of the rice is N4,964,000.

According to Lomba Benjamin, a spokesperson of the NCS, Niger/Kogi Area Command, “It is unfortunate that despite the considerable quantity of rice and vehicular seizures in this Command in the past, some saboteurs have continued to engage in the unpatriotic act of smuggling.  If you recall barely two weeks ago the Command intercepted a diesel truck loaded with 197(50kg) bags of imported rice with duty paid value of N3,349,000.

“We have continued to record victory over these recalcitrant saboteurs. Last month (October) the Command re-sharpened intelligence network led to an arrest of five (5) seizures comprising: 1,481 (50kg) bags of imported foreign rice with DPV of N25,177,000, five vehicles with DPV of N14,337,000 and 9 bales of second-hand clothing with DPV of N720,000.

“These above seizures were made at different locations within the Command namely:   Wawa, Babanna, New Bussa axis in Borgu Local Government Area, Tungankawo, Tunganwawa axis in Kontagora Local Government Area, Mokwa, Kudu, Kpaki axis in Mokwa Local Government Area and Bagama, Dikko junction axis in Suleja Local Government of Niger State.

‘The seizures are estimated at over 40 million naira, which represents a huge loss on the part of these elements despite the fact of a jail term that awaits any of them who will be arrested as a result of our long drawn investigative net.

“We shall continue to blaze the trail in anti-smuggling activities through the deployment of intelligence gathering and collaboration/synergy with other critical stakeholders for the actualization of our statutory mandate. These deliberate and concerted efforts will guide us in contributing our quota toward realizing remarkable results in line with the vision and mission of the Comptroller General of Customs and his management team.”

-Dedeigbo Ayodeji

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