By Aliyu DANLADI
Deputy Comptroller and National Coordinator, Comptroller General Strike Force, Mr Abdullahi Kirawa, said the team seized 4,200 50kg bags of smuggled rice in Mopa village, near Kabba in Kogi.
Kirawa made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in Abuja, said that the seizures were as a result of synergy between the Nigeria Police, Army, Department of States Security Service and the Customs Intelligent Unit.
“The Strike Force team intercepted seven trucks loaded with 50kg bags of smuggled rice, each truck carrying 600 bags.
“These bags of rice were seized on Saturday, August 4, in Mopa near Kabba in Kogi State.
“Also, eight days ago the team seized 1,246 bags of smuggled rice through the creeks in Ogun State,”Kirawa said.
He said the seizures were as a result of information received from its dependable sources.
“We reliably learned that the consignments were brought into the country through the land borders and the creeks,” he said.
According to him, the policy of the government policies on importation is clear, and that it is expected that those engaged in the importation business are familiar with the laws of the land.
Speaking on refined sugar, he said if refined sugar brought into the country through unapproved routes, it would be considered as smuggled.
He, therefore, said the refined sugar would have the same fate as the seized rice.
According to him, the Strike Force team has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that smuggling is brought to its minimum.
