The Nigeria Customs Service has seized 1,930 bags of 50kg smuggled rice evacuated from various warehouses in Lagos and Ogun states.
This is following the directive of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali, to various formations of the NCS, to rid warehouses and markets across the South-West of smuggled foreign rice and other contraband items in the country.
Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, the co-ordinator of the Strike Force, Zone A, said the directive was aimed at boosting local production of rice in the country.
Shuaibu said the unit generated N708 million from false duty levy in the last two weeks.
According to him, 1,227 rolls of chiffon textiles materials, 18 pallets of perfumes, cosmetics and bags, 2,064 cartons of electric bulbs as well as 1,810 cartons of alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines were seized and will be forfeited to the Federal Government.
He further said smugglers now find it hard to move smuggled foreign rice from the border in large quantity, but now move them in batches through motorcycles, also known as Okada.
Shuaibu however, noted that restrictions have been put in place to stop their operations.