By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
In a major operation against smuggling, the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 250 bags of foreign parboiled rice cleverly concealed inside a fuel tanker.
The seizure took place along the Yauri-Kontagora Road in Kebbi State, exposing a rising trend of smugglers using unconventional means to beat security checks.
Acting Comptroller AM Alkali said the operation followed a credible intelligence tip-off.
Upon thorough inspection of the DAF tanker at the Unit’s office in Kaduna, operatives uncovered the contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV), of over ₦20 million.
In a separate operation, the Unit handed over large consignments of seized items to regulatory agencies.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), received thousands of sachets of unregistered drugs and banned painkillers, while the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), took charge of hazardous industrial chemicals.
Comptroller Alkali reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economy and public health through intelligence-driven enforcement.
He noted that the success of the operation reflects the Unit’s strengthened strategies in the fight against smuggling.
