Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service in Sokoto State have intercepted a truck loaded with 460 bags of foreign rice with a duty value of N7.8m
The NCS said the rice was contaminated and would pose “serious health risk” to any consumer in the country.
According to the NCS Area Comptroller in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Mr. Nasir Ahmed, the contraband was hidden in a tanker that was being used to carry petrol.
Ahmed, who explained that the goods were intercepted in Sokoto State while on their way to Suleja area in Niger State, stressed that the consumption of such rice posed serious health risks to Nigerians.
Ahmed said, “This is an oil tanker belonging to one of the major oil distributors that is now used in carrying black oil (contraband). This poses serious health risk and hazard to those who consume the rice because it has been contaminated.
“The plan of the smugglers is to repackage the rice and sell it to innocent Nigerians as soon as they reach their destination in Niger State. We will not allow such unscrupulous persons to put the lives of our citizens at risk.”
He said the command had already arrested one person in connection with the contraband.
He advised the smugglers to go back to the farm and engage in rice production rather than engage in activities that would sabotage the nation’s economy.