· Intercepts 4 Trucks Of Food Items In Kano
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched a strategic anti-smuggling operation and public engagement in its commitment to prevent the unlawful exportation of vital food resources for individual economic gains. This urgent imperative fuels the need for a proactive stance to safeguard food availability within our nation and alleviate the detrimental effects of scarcity on citizens.
The development coincides with the seizure of four trucks of food items by the Kano Area Command as part of efforts to tackle smuggling. This was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the Service in Kano, Saidu Nuradeen, on Tuesday in Kano.
He said that personnel of the Service intercepted the vehicles transporting a significant quantity of food items intended for illegal export along Hadejia – Taura – Ringim axis in Jigawa.
Nuradeen listed the items to include 1,505 cartons of big and small size dried fish, 17 bags of local variety rice and two bags of beans.
According to him, the seizure underscores the relentless effort of the Service to enforce the border closure policy aimed at safeguarding the nation’s economy and ensure food security.
Also, in a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, the service stressed that, “to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and improve access to essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service will facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the Federal Government”.
The NCS added that, “these items will be certified fit for consumption by relevant agencies and made available to ordinary Nigerians nationwide through equitable distribution in our areas of operations”.
“The modalities for the disposal will be communicated through NCS formations nationwide, with a firm commitment to transparency, fairness, and public safety”, it added, even as the service stated that, “ it is our pledge that this exercise will be managed diligently to ensure that the benefits reach those most in need”.
