By Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Sokoto Command, comprising Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States, has intercepted 506 bags of foreign rice concealed in bags of beans with duty paid value of N12.1 million.
Speaking with journalists in Sokoto on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Mr. Nasir Ahmad, said his men intercepted one truck with 506 bags of rice along Illela-Sokoto road.
He disclosed that the contraband items were intercepted last Friday as a result of the vigilance of officers on border patrol along the axis, adding that the contraband goods were concealed in 100kg bags of beans with duty paid value of N12.127,808 million.
“The smugglers devised a trick by concealing two (50kg)bags of rice in a 100kg bag covered with beans in order to evade our men. But we got intelligence reports from Kebbi State and succeeded in intercepting the contraband,” he explained.
The controller, who stated that foreign rice was among the items barred from entry through the land borders, called on the smugglers to desist forthwith and embrace the policies of the federal government by engaging actively in farming.
Details later…
