The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday said it has arrested four suspects in Sokoto who allegedly smuggled 589 bags of imported rice concealed in a petrol tanker.
The Comptroller of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara Command, Nasir Ahmad, disclosed this to reporters in Sokoto.
He said the smuggled items, which were intercepted on Sunday along Koko-Yauri road in Kebbi State, had N11.1 million Duty Paid Value (DPV).
Ahmad stated that when the bags of rice were removed from the petrol tank they had been contaminated by black oil, which is dangerous to human health.
The comptroller urged smugglers to find alternative legal means of livelihood and stop undermining the nation’s economy.
He appealed to the public, especially those residing in border communities, to assist officials of the command with relevant information to track down smugglers.
According to the Customs boss, this is the third time the command is intercepting smuggled goods in a tanker.
He said that on investigation it was revealed that the suspects were on their way to Suleja in Niger State.