Customs seizes N13m worth of smuggled rice in Lagos

The Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service says it has seized 1,200 bags of smuggled rice with a duty paid value of N13.04 million on Akere Waterways in Badagry, Lagos State.
Zakka Audu, the Comptroller of the command, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Friday.
Audu said that the seizures were made by the officers of the command in Idiroko, Yekeme and Badagry.
He said: “We are cooperating with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria and Rice Millers Association of Nigeria.
“We have found out that our interest is the same, which is to curb smuggling.”
The comptroller said that the command would ensure it curtailed smuggling within its area, adding that the command had sensitised the border communities on the dangers of smuggling.
Audu said that the command would soon send some officers to South Africa for a training to enhance their performance.
He said that the command had challenges like patrol boats, arms and ammunition and unserviceable equipment.
“Besides, there is the problem of poor office building and accommodation,” the comptroller said.