The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) joint border patrol team, Sector IV in Sokoto, Northwest region, has intercepted truckloads of food heading for Niger Republic.
Customs operatives impounded the trucks at the Kajji community on the Sokoto-Kebbi road.
This was disclosed by Coordinating Comptroller, Kolapo Oladeji who explained that the truckloads of food items were heading to neighbouring Niger Republic through the Kebbi border.
“We will leave no stone unturned to block food smuggling out of the country because of the current situation.
“We all know that prices of food items have skyrocketed because of the activities of some Nigerians.
“Our people are hungry but prefer to take the food to other countries despite the border closures 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 infamous act will face the full wrath of the law.”
The country is grappling with food inflation and economic hardship.
The federal government of Nigeria recently announced the release of 42,000 tons of grains from the strategic reserves, to alleviate the hunger pervading the land.
The customs operatives also seized a consignment of sex-enhancement drugs worth N19.6 million.
Oladeji said:
“These drugs are hazardous to the health of our people. Some of them even carry fake National Agency For Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration and expiry dates.”
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