The Federal Government has identified 32 routes used for smuggling food items out of Nigeria. Vice President Kashim Shettima revealed this information during a conference on Public Wealth Management in Abuja.
He mentioned that 45 trucks carrying maize were recently stopped while trying to cross the border into neighboring countries.
The Vice President said, “Just three nights ago, 45 trucks of maize were caught being transported to neighbouring countries. Just in that Ilela axis, there are 32 illegal smuggling routes. And the moment those food stuff were intercepted, the price of maize came down by N10,000. It came down from N60,000 to N50,000.
“So, there are forces that are hell-bent on undermining our nation, but this is the time for us to coalesce into a singular entity,” he said.
Shettima recognized that Nigeria is going through a difficult period, but he reassured the people that the suffering will not be permanent.
He criticized individuals who worsen division and violence due to the current circumstances.
“We have to make this country work. We have to move beyond politics. We are now in the face of governance. Sadly, some of our countrymen are still in the political mode. They are the practitioners of violence, advocating that Nigeria should go the Lebanon way. But, Nigeria is greater than anyone of us here. Nigeria will weather the storm.
“Forces are hell-bent on plunging this country into a state of anarchy. Those who could not get to power through the ballot box, instead for them to wait till 2027, are so desperate,” he said.
