The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) joint border patrol team sector IV recently intercepted trucks loads of food items heading to Niger Republic through Kebbi State
While briefing journalists in Sokoto, the Coordinating Comptroller, Mr Kolapo Oladeji, said the trucks of food items were intercepted at the Kajji community on the Sokoto-Kebbi road.
He said the effort to smuggle the foodstuffs out of Nigeria contravened regulations.
He said: “We will leave no stone unturned to block food smuggling out of the country because of the current situation in the country.
“We all know that prices of food items have skyrocketed because of the activities of some Nigerians.
“Our people are hungry but they prefer to take the food to other countries despite the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
”We will continue to trail them and block their routes. And whoever is caught in this nefarious act will face the full wrath of the law.”
Also, he said the Customs operatives intercepted consignment of sex enhancement drugs worth N19.6 duty paid value in Sokoto state and some consignment of counterfeit drugs which duty paid values were not yet confirmed during routine operations.
He said: “These drugs are very dangerous to the health of our people, some of them even carried fake National Agency For Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration and expiring dates.”
He stated further that the NCS operatives apprehended 60 jerry cans of petroleum products bring smuggle outside the country.
He solicited for cooperation and support with intelligent information that would help officials to stop activities that paralyzed Nigeria’s economy and public health.
