ABUJA: The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ has intercepted about 8,000 bags of smuggled rice at Gbaji, Badagry Area of Lagos State.
The commodity which was shipped into the country through the Atlantic Ocean was seized by officers and men of the command based on intelligence reports.
The suspected smugglers were said to have shipped the commodity through the Gbaji River for onward shipment by road when they were swooped on by officers of the command.
Its Area Controller (CAC), Controller Adamu Turaki said: “Ostensibly aware of the implication of being met with the smuggled items, the suspected smugglers escaped through the water on sighting the arrival of our officers who carried out the operation.”
Turaki said that efforts are being made to arrest and bring persons behind the unlawful act to book by making them face the full wrath of the law as a way of deterring others from smuggling.
According to him: “As we enter the middle of the year, I reminded all my officers of the Comptroller General’s zero tolerance for smuggling and other illegalities, while charging them to gear up to the challenges of the period.”
He warned smugglers not to ever contemplate using the area under his watch for smuggling as his men and officers are poised to apprehend and prosecute them no matter what it takes.
His words: “This seizure is a direct message to all that are involved in smuggling that they will not only be recording losses at any attempt, but they stand a great chance of going to jail as we are keen on matching seizures with suspects. Whoever wishes to import rice should do that through the nation’s seaports as approved by the federal government.
