The Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara Area Command of Nigerian Customs Service on Thursday said it intercepted two trucks with 365 bags of foreign rice.
The Controller of the command, Nasiru Ahmad, represented by the command’s Spokesman, Magaji Mailafiya, said that the seizures were made last Thursday and Friday along Illela-Sokoto road.
Ahmad said the seized trucks belonged to Dangote Group, while the duty paid value of the 50kg bags of rice was N8.7m.
He said the foreign rice were among the items prohibited from entering the country through land borders, adding that the action contravened Federal Government’s fiscal policy on rice importation.
He disclosed that the contraband rice were arrested as a result of the vigilance of his men on border patrol.
“The contraband has a Duty Paid Value of N8, 748,320 and the two suspected importers along with the contraband items were arrested.
“They are in our custody and will soon be prosecuted accordingly,” Ahmad said.
He urged Nigerians to complement government’s efforts on rice cultivation and other agriculture development programmes by establishing processing industries geared toward viable economic development in the country.
Ahmad enjoined individuals, traditional and community leaders as well as groups to assist government to achieve “smuggle-free” society.
He described smuggling as “cripplers of nation economy which deterred employments, revenue and nation’s security progress”.