NCS intercepts food trucks going to Niger Republic in Kebbi

By Abiodun OBA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) joint border patrol team sector IV has intercepted trucks loads of food items heading to Niger Republic through Kebbi State.

The Coordinating Comptroller, Mr Kolapo Oladeji, told journalists in Sokoto that the trucks of food items were also intercepted at the Kajji community on the Sokoto-Kebbi road.

He said the attempt to smuggle the foodstuffs out of the country contravened regulations.

“We will leave no stone unturned to block food smuggling out of the country because of the current situation in the country.

“We all know that prices of food items have skyrocketed because of the activities of some Nigerians.

“Our people are hungry, but they prefer to take the food to other countries despite the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“We will continue to trail them and block their routes. And whoever is caught in this nefarious act will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

He also said the Customs operatives seized consignment of sex enhancement drugs worth N19.6 million duty paid value in Sokoto state as well as some consignment of counterfeit drugs which duty paid values were not yet ascertained during routine operations.

“These drugs are very dangerous to the health of our people, some of them even carried fake National Agency For Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration and expiring dates,” he said.

He added that the NCS operatives also apprehended 60 jerry cans of petroleum products being smuggled outside the country.

The Team leader solicited for people’s cooperation and support with intelligent information that would assist officials to stop activities that crippled nation’s economy and public health.

The event was attended by officials of NAFDAC, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and other sister agencies.

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