27th May, 2016
The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos State said on Friday it had seized 2,131 bags of smuggled rice with a duty paid value of N23.9 million.
The Controller, Mr. Victor Dimka, said in a statement at Seme, a border post between Nigeria and Benin Republic that the seizures were made through intelligence gathering.
“The bags of rice were smuggled into the country from Benin Republic through the Ere creek in Ikoga and they were stored in an uncompleted building in the area.
“Officials of the command got wind of this and moved in to make the seizures; the seizures were made without hitches.
“They came in through the water because the road leading to Seme border has been `fortified’ against smuggling by officers of the command,’’ said the statement in Badagry.
“Investigation is being carried out to ensure that the suspects are apprehended and brought to face trial.’’
The statement warned smugglers to desist from their nefarious activities and go through the land borders to clear their goods to shore up the nation’s revenue.
It lauded the synergy between the customs, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the fight against smuggling and insecurity particularly at the borders.