>
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have invaded Oja Oba market in Ibadan, carting away eight truckloads of rice.
DAILY POST reports that the customs officers invaded the market in the early hours of Saturday.
The invasion of the market comes barely one month after customs personnel invaded Bodija market and carted away some bags of rice.
Public Relations Officer of Oyo/Osun Customs Command, Kayode Wey, confirmed the incident.
He, however, said that the operation was carried out by Federal Operation Unit (FOU), Zone A.
“It is the FOU. They are not our people. It is the FOU that went to the Bodija market the last time.
“It is the same FOU, we do not know anything about it. We do not have any information on it. I am hearing it the same way you are hearing it,” Wey said.
Speaking on the development, the Public Relations Officer of NCS, FOU Zone A, Theophilus Duniya said that the customs is empowered to carry out such operation.
“Yes. Until we examine them. You are aware that the Federal Government imposed a ban on importation of foreign rice to encourage local production in the country.
“As it stands, foreign rice is a contraband and the law empowers us, the act that established the service empowers officers to carry out such operations.
“To break into any shop or warehouse upon reasonable suspicion that prohibited goods are stored, we evacuate them. That is what happened.
“This is Federal Operation Unit Zone A in charge of South West zone.”