Imported rice

GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Oyo/Osun area Command has impounded a bullion van intercepted at Saki area of Oyo State and 10 fairly used vehicles loaded with smuggled rice.

Disclosing this today at a press briefing was the Customs Area Controller, Mr. Tolutope Ogunkua. He added that the command also impounded 16 fairly used exotic cars, two brand new Land Rover Discovery, one fairly used Man Diesel Truck and a truck carrying a smuggled brand new Honda Accord car.

Ogunkua lamented the attitude to concentrate on illegal business as a means of livelihood, pointing out that the arrest of the bullion van, meant for convening cash now used in concealing smuggled imported foreign rice should send a serious signal to the smugglers. While appealing to well meaning Nigerians to engage in legitimate businesses and shun smuggling, Ogunkua maintained that anyone arrested with smuggled items would be prosecuted and charged to court.

His words, “In keeping to this promise, the command initiated new anti-smuggling strategies which led to remarkable exploits evidenced in the seizures on display today.
It is worrisome to note that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose, not even the Federal Government’s visible efforts in transforming the agricultural sector, especially in the area of rice production as well as the increase prevalence of expired imported rice with its hazardous health implications have touched their conscience to avoid rice smuggling. However our resolve to deal with them remains unshaken more so now that the present management has directed thorough investigation with the view to prosecuting all those that will be found connected to this illegal act.”

“The arrest of a bullion van meant for convening cash used in concealing smuggled imported foreign rice should send s serious signal to these recalcitrant saboteurs of the Nigerian economy that there is no hiding place. We are determined to beat all their concealment patterns with our superior intelligence network. The recalcitrant ones who still insist on engaging in the illicit business of smuggling should be well advised that they would not escape the long arm of the law especially as the yuletide approaches”.
He concluded,”
ENDS