Nigerian Custom Boss, Hameed AliThe Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it has seized no fewer than 1,072 vehicles from suspected smugglers since the closure of Nigerian borders with neighbouring countries.
The Service spokesperson, Joseph Attah, who spoke today, October 4 in Katsina during a sensitisation programme on the Border Drill Operation, said that the vehicles were seized while trying to cross into the country through illegal routes.
Attah said thatover 19,000 bags of foreign rice and 4,765 Jerry cans of petrol were also seized, even as two fuel tankers were impounded.
The PRO said that thousands of ammunition were seized, while 317 suspects were arrested during the period.
He said 131 bags of NPK fertilisers, which would have been used to make explosive device were seized, while 146 illegal immigrants without genuine travel documents were arrested.
According to him, the closure of the borders had helped in ensuring security for the citizens as well as improved the nation’s economy.
“Anytime you buy a foreign rice, you have empowered foreign farmers, while our farmers are suffering in spite of government interventions like Anchor Borrower, which is aimed at boosting rice production.
“We are now like candles burning ourselves and lightening others.”
He said that government launched the ongoing Border Drill Operation to check the menace of smuggling and illegal immigrants into the country.
He appealed to Nigerians to continue to support government policies like the Border Drill Operation.
Attah said thatover 19,000 bags of foreign rice and 4,765 Jerry cans of petrol were also seized, even as two fuel tankers were impounded.
The PRO said that thousands of ammunition were seized, while 317 suspects were arrested during the period.
He said 131 bags of NPK fertilisers, which would have been used to make explosive device were seized, while 146 illegal immigrants without genuine travel documents were arrested.
According to him, the closure of the borders had helped in ensuring security for the citizens as well as improved the nation’s economy.
“Anytime you buy a foreign rice, you have empowered foreign farmers, while our farmers are suffering in spite of government interventions like Anchor Borrower, which is aimed at boosting rice production.
“We are now like candles burning ourselves and lightening others.”
He said that government launched the ongoing Border Drill Operation to check the menace of smuggling and illegal immigrants into the country.
He appealed to Nigerians to continue to support government policies like the Border Drill Operation.
Source:’NAN
