The Nigeria Customs Service Joint Borders Drill Operations for the North Central zone, says it has seized contraband goods worth 1.2billion naira and arrested 53 suspect between May and June this year.
The coordinator of the Joint Borders operations comprising ,Niger,Kwara,Kogi and Benue states , Muhammed Uba Garba made the disclosure while addressing Journalists on the activities of the team in Ilorin .
According to him within the period under review the team has raided two warehouses in Ilorin and about 674 bags of foreign rice were discovered.
Uba-Garba explained that last month the patrol team has also Intercepted two Mitsubishi canter laden with 54 drums of smuggled petrol with a duty paid value of 1.9million naira with two suspects in Niger state.
He noted that a tipper carrying sand with 140 bags of rice concealed under the sand as well as a Keke NAPEP tricycle with smuggled rice were also Intercepted
The Joint borders coordinator said the sector has stepped up measures to combat the influx of smuggled rice and other prohibited items into the country.
He advised officers to ensure they observe NCDC guidelines on the Prevention of COVID-19 in the discharge of their duties.
Uba-Garba maintained that the sector has within the period recoded a total of 225 seizures which included,17,490 bags of foreign rice,310 kegs of vegetable oil, 1-locally made pistol,944 drums of AGO, 3,676 Jerry Cans of Petroleum products of 25litrers,355bundles if textile materials,and 28 bags of foreign fertilizer,among other .
He said 53 suspects have been so far arrested while some escaped leaving behind their goods.
