The joint border patrol team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) in Sokoto, known as Sector IV, has successfully intercepted several trucks carrying food that were destined for Niger Republic.
The coordinating comptroller, Kolapo Oladeji, stated that customs officers seized these trucks at the Kajji community, located on the Sokoto-Kebbi road.
The intercepted trucks were transporting a large quantity of food items, intending to cross the Kebbi border and reach the neighboring Niger Republic.
“We will leave no stone unturned to block food smuggling out of the country because of the current situation,” he said.
“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.”
Nigeria is currently facing challenges with food inflation and economic hardship.
In an effort to address widespread hunger, the federal government has recently announced the release of 42,000 tons of grain from the strategic reserves.
Additionally, law enforcement officials have confiscated a shipment of enhancement drugs valued at N19.6 million.
“These drugs are hazardous to the health of our people. Some of them even carried fake National Agency For Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration and expiring dates,” he said.
