According to the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A in Ikeja, Lagos, three trucks carrying 1,464 bags of foodstuffs en route to the Republic of Benin have been intercepted.
Speaking at the command on Friday, the Customs Area Controller, Hussein Ejibunu, revealed that the intercepted consignments at Ajilete/Idiroko Road in Ogun State comprised 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions, and 18 bags of dry pepper.
According to Ejibunu, the intercepted goods were sold to Nigerians.
Last month, President Bola Tinubu instructed 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 work with state governors to track down individuals hoarding food items.
In response to the current food crisis, the President has given the order due to the increase in transportation costs following the removal of fuel subsidies and the insecurity preventing farmers from harvesting their crops.
Ejibunu added that the unit ensured the trucks were redirected to Nigerian markets where the foodstuffs were sold to Nigerians, instead of seizing them.
The FOU Zone A boss restated that the confiscated rice had a duty-paid value of N365m.
Ejibunu added that during the month under review, additional items confiscated were one locally made gun and six pieces of empty cartridges at Abeokuta Road; 731 parcels of Indian Hemp weighing 482kg; one 40ft container with 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.
