In a rare display of ingenuity, the Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja rather than confiscate three trucks of food stuff being smuggled out of Nigeria through the Ajilete/Idiroko road in Ogun state and headed to the Republic of Benin ensured the trucks were redirected to the Nigerian markets where the goods were sold to Nigerians by the owners of the items.
The trucks contained 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions and 18 bags of dry pepper among others.
Controller of the zone, Customs Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu said the gesture was in line with the federal government policies to ensure food security for the citizens as well as address the high cost of living.
As we approach the Easter celebration, we have strengthened our intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations strategies to forestall any attempt by smugglers and duty evaders to circumvent the law.
Speaking at a briefing in Ikeja, he said the Unit has demonstrated its passion and willingness to cross the teeth and dot the eyes in fighting smuggling adding that it explains the drastic reduction in rice smuggling and fuel bunkering.
