By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B, have intercepted 250 bags of foreign parboiled rice hidden inside a tanker truck, marking a major advance in ongoing efforts to combat smuggling.
The Unit also transferred large volumes of confiscated pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals to relevant government agencies as part of a growing inter-agency cooperation framework.
Chief Superintendent of Customs Saidu Nuruddeen, the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the operation was carried out on August 3, 2025, following actionable intelligence received by the team.
A DAF tanker truck was stopped along the Yauri-Kontagora Road in Kebbi State and subsequently moved to Kaduna for a detailed inspection. Officials discovered 250 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed within the tanker compartment.
The rice, which violates Nigeria’s import regulations, carries a total duty paid value of N20,510,000.
Comptroller AM Alkali, who heads the Unit, praised the officers involved for what he described as meticulous and intelligence-driven enforcement work. He stressed that the seizure reinforces the Unit’s commitment to combating economic sabotage through technology-backed surveillance and field operations.
He also conveyed his gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and members of the NCS management for their unwavering backing, particularly in enhancing operational capacity.
Speaking further, Comptroller Alkali described the recent extension of the CGC’s tenure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as a merited endorsement of Adeniyi’s strategic leadership and commitment to institutional progress.
In a separate move aligned with the Customs’ broader directive to foster inter-agency coordination, the Unit formally handed over seized items to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on July 17, 2025.
NAFDAC received 58,740 sachets of 100mg and 50mg medications along with 27 cartons of Analgin injection. NESREA was presented with three sacks of Riodin chemical, amounting to 990 units.
Nuruddeen stated that the transfer underscores the Unit’s dedication to public health and environmental security, pointing out the dangers posed by unregulated drugs and hazardous materials if left unchecked.
Reaffirming the Unit’s resolve, Comptroller Alkali noted that efforts to protect Nigeria’s borders and strengthen the national economy would continue to be pursued vigorously. He also acknowledged the vital role of citizens in providing support and intelligence that enhance the Service’s effectiveness.
