AGS NEWS – The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A in Ikeja, Lagos, has reported the interception of three trucks transporting 1,464 bags of foodstuffs destined for the Republic of Benin.

Speaking to reporters at the command on Friday, Customs Area Controller Hussein Ejibunu disclosed that the consignments, comprising 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions, and 18 bags of dry pepper, were seized at Ajilete/Idiroko Road in Ogun State.

Ejibunu emphasized that the intercepted goods were intended for sale within Nigeria.

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This development comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Director-General of the Department of State Services Yusuf Bichi to collaborate with state governors to crack down on those hoarding food items.

The President issued the directive amid a food crisis exacerbated by rising transportation costs following the removal of fuel subsidies and insecurity hindering farmers’ ability to harvest their crops.

Ejibunu also highlighted the interception of three export-bound trucks transporting 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions, and 18 bags of dry pepper at Ajilete/Idiroko Road in Ogun State.

Rather than seizing the food items, the unit redirected the trucks to Nigerian markets, where they were sold to citizens.

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In February, the zone seized 3,779 bags of rice across seven trailers in various parts of the South-West states. The seized rice was valued at N365 million.

Other items confiscated in the same month included a locally made gun and six empty cartridges at Abeokuta Road, 731 parcels of Indian Hemp weighing 482kg, one 40ft container containing 286 cartons of new rubber slippers, seven used motorcycles, 28,000 liters of premium motor spirit, and 2,420 pieces of used tires, as disclosed by Ejibunu.