Customs seize truck load of rice hidden in manure

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, has arrested a truck-load of rice hidden in animal dung by smugglers in Katsina State on Sunday.

Mr Shehu Usman, the Controller in charge of Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, revealed this on Tuesday in Katsina at a conference.

It was gathered that the smugglers concealed the bags of rice in manure to deceive custom personnel.

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He said that smugglers have devised several means to execute their acts.
“The government is serious on rice production in the country; there is the programme on anchor borrowers aimed at improving local rice production in Nigeria.

“Local rice is better than the smuggled one, we will do our best to see that such government policies succeed.

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“We are serious about preventing these people from smuggling rice into the country.
“We are on the lookout and will not relent in our efforts until we drastically reduce smuggling of such items into the country,’’ he said.
He said that operatives recently arrested over 10 different vehicles which smuggled rice, and encouraged the public to provide them with relevant information to curb smuggling in the country.