The Nigeria Customs Service, Sokoto state Command said it has intercepted a truck load of 525 bags of smuggled rice believed to be in the region of about N11m. The Customs Area Comptroller in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, Mr. Mr. Nasir Ahmed made this known while briefing newsmen yesterday in Sokoto.
He said the rice was intercepted on Koko-Yauri Road, on its way to Suleja in Niger State, adding that consumption of such rice would pose serious health risk to Nigerians. He explained that the Smugglers concealed the contraband in a fuel tanker.
“This is an oil tanker that is used in carrying black oil. This poses serious health risk and hazard to those who consume the rice because it has been contaminated. I want to commend our men on surveillance, who waited for them at Koko-Yauri Road, where it diverted from its normal route, which is Sokoto-Gusau Road.
“Our surveillance team were able to arrest them at 2am and brought the trailer back to Sokoto,” he added.
While parading the driver, conductor and the escort , the Comptroller advised those in engaged in the sabotage to “go back to the farm and engage in rice production through the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme, rather than indulge in activities that would sabotage the nation’s economy.”
He assured that the Command was still on the trail of the real owners of the goods.