The Nigeria Customs’ Federal Operation’s Unit (FOU) Zone A said it intercepted 445 bags of foreign parboiled rice within an hour operation
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) which is saddled with the responsibility of policing the entire South west zone against economic sabotage, said it has intercepted 445 bags of foreign parboiled rice in an operation that lasted less than an hour along the Ogun State Area Command.
The Customs Area Controller(CAC), FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Oladeji said the interception occurred early on that Tuesday at the Itohun axis along the Ogun border.
He credited the successful operation to intelligence reports received from stakeholders, adding that
“Our officers intercepted a truckload of rice. As soon as the smugglers saw them, they fled, leaving the truck behind. The truck was stuck in a swampy area, so officers hired another vehicle to transport the seized rice to the unit for documentation.
“The 445 bags of rice have been forfeited to the Federal Government. Fortunately, no lives were lost, and no casualties were recorded.”
Oladeji praised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and his management team for equipping the command and motivating officers, leading to impressive results.
He also acknowledged the support of stakeholders and traditional rulers in the zone for assisting Customs operations. He warned smugglers to embrace legal businesses and support Nigerian rice farmers instead of smuggling expired rice into the country.
Oladeji urged them to invest in local farming and create jobs for Nigerian youths rather than supporting foreign economies like Thailand and India. “Invest in legitimate business in Nigeria because we will not allow smuggling to thrive in this country,” he said.
