The Nigerian Customs Service has said three years jail-term awaits anybody arrested for smuggling a bag of rice into the country.
Daily Post reported that the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service Col. Hamid Ali (rtd), said this while addressing border communities of Nigeria/Niger at Maigatari local government in Jigawa State on Thursday.
Ali said act of smuggling of food item is seriously damaging the country’s economy and the custom is ready to put an end to it.
“Federal Government is making efforts to improve Agriculture especially rice farming but the foreign rice been imported to the country massively through illegal borders is sabotaging government policies.
“Most of these rice are being imported by you on motorcycle through illegal borders,” Hamid Ali stated.
“No compromise, anybody found culpable will be prosecuted accordingly and the minimum punishment for smuggling a single bag of rice is three years jail term,” he stated.
He urged border communities to support government efforts in fighting illicit importation of contrabands food items into the country, which is inimical to citizen’s health by feeding security agencies with any useful information.
Hamid Ali also warned security operatives to be vigilant and cordial with members of borders communities.
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