The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A in Ikeja, Lagos, disclosed that it intercepted three trucks loaded with 1,464 bags of foodstuffs heading to the Republic of Benin.
Addressing journalists at the command on Friday, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Hussein Ejibunu, said the consignments, containing 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions, and 18 bags of dry pepper, were intercepted at Ajilete/Idiroko Road in Ogun State.
Ejibunu added that the intercepted goods were sold to Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu had last month ordered the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, to collaborate with state governors and go after those hoarding foodstuff.
The President gave the order on the back of the current food crisis triggered by the hikes in transportation costs after the fuel subsidy removal and the inability of farmers to harvest their crops because of insecurity.
Ejibunu added, “Worthy of note was the interception of export-bound three trucks heading to the Republic of Benin laden with 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions and 18 bags of dry pepper at Ajilete/Idiroko Road in Ogun State
“Instead of seizing the food items, the unit ensured the trucks were re-directed to the Nigerian markets where they were sold to Nigerians.”
He also disclosed that in February, the zone seized 3,779 bags of rice in seven trailers at various parts of South-West states.
The FOU Zone A boss reiterated that the seized rice had a duty-paid value of N365m.
“Other items seized in the month under review, included one locally made gun and six pieces of empty cartridges at Abeokuta Road; 731 parcels of Indian Hemp weighing 482kg; one 40ft container found to contain 286 cartons of new rubber slippers; seven units of used motorcycles; 28,000 litres of premium motor spirit and 2,420 pieces of used tyres,” Ejibunu added.