Customs impounds N100m worth of smuggled rice

Over 3,000 bags of foreign rice and assorted contraband items have been impounded from smugglers operating by the Kano-Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The items, whose market value was put at over N100m, were intercepted at various border towns along the Jigawa-Niger Republic route.

Briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Bompai, Kano, on Tuesday, the Comptroller in charge of the command, Nasir Ahmed, said the command had increased its level of vigilance to be a step ahead of smugglers.

He attributed the success recorded to the collaborative efforts of the Customs Intelligent Unit, the headquarters, Information Patrol Team, the strike force, Federal Operations Unit and other relevant units of the service.

Ahmed warned those involved in smuggling to desist from it and engage in legitimate work this year.

“We want to tell smugglers to have a rethink and look for new businesses, as 2019 will be a no smuggling year,” he stated.

Ahmed also cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used to smuggle contraband into the country, noting that in most cases, they were unaware of the contents of the illicit packages they were being made to bring into the country.

He also revealed that the command had confiscated 33 smuggled vehicles since the beginning of 2019, adding that their owners were still being expected to tender relevant documents and take possession of their vehicles.