Customs arrests 9 for smuggling of foreign Rice, PMS worth N751m

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has arrested nine suspects in connection with smuggled items made in the Southwest region in February 2024.

Displaying the seized items to journalists, yesterday, at its Ikeja warehouse, Lagos, the Controller of the Unit, Hussein Ejibunu, said the unit intercepted over seven trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice worth N365m from various parts of the South West as well as 11 exotic used vehicles worth over N200m and 28,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

He listed other items seized in the month under review to include, one locally made gun and six pieces of empty cartridges at Abeokuta road; 731 parcels of Indian hemp weighing 482kg; a 40ft container found to contain 286 cartons of new rubber slippers; seven units of used motorcycles and 2,420 pieces of used tyres.

The controller observed the unrepentant behaviours of economic saboteurs who deploy many tricks and antics to beat the Customs checks but often failed. He lamented the smuggling of foreign parboiled rice in petroleum jerrycans along Ajilete in Ogun State.

Ejibunu described the act as not only illegal but also exposes the potential consumers to the risk of eating contaminated grains with poisonous properties from petroleum products.

He warned that as the country approaches the Easter celebration, the unit has strengthened its intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations to forestall any attempt by smugglers and duty evaders to circumvent the law.