Xmas: Customs steps up anti-smuggling operations in Niger, Kogi as officers intercept truck conveying 8000kg of foreign rice

The Niger/Kogi Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has declared that smugglers planning to cash in on the yuletide will have it rough and tough.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO), of the command, Mr. Benjamin Lomba, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, stated that the command has continued to reinvigorate and intensify efforts in its anti-smuggling drive.

“There is no hiding place for smugglers within the Niger/Kogi Command area especially during this Christmas season,” he said.

He disclosed that despite the border closure, the command, through intelligence gathering, intercepted a truck loaded with almost 8000kg of foreign rice over the weekend.

According to him, officers of the command on Sunday December 8, 2019 at 3am intercepted one Mitsubishi Canter loaded with 79 100kg bags of foreign rice along Yauri road in Kontagora axis of Niger State.

“The Duty Paid Value for this bags of rice is put at N2,686,000.00” he said.

He revealed that the seizure is coming just weeks after one Iveco 14-tyre truck loaded with 292 50kg bags of imported rice concealed with sugarcane was intercepted by Customs officers on routine patrol.

“We Officers and men of Niger/Kogi Command are ready to confront all the challenges that militate against our successes.

“We will continue to build on the achievements so far made in both revenue generation and anti-smuggling feats, while the Command wishes everyone a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year ahead”, the spokesman added.