By; NIYI OGUNGBOLA, Abeokuta.
At least 37 vehicles loaded with imported bags of rice have been impounded by men of Ogun State command of Nigeria Customs Service, while three suspects were also apprehended in connection with the crime.
While beriefing newsmen at the Idi-Iroko Border Station, the Deputy Controller in charge of enforcement, Mohammed Gagiyo disclosed that the vehicles loaded with the contraband were seized by officers of the command while on surveillance patrol along Ipokia, Idiroko/Owode and Alaari/Ifonyinteso axis.
The suspected persons who are males – Olowe Oluwabunmi, Bibilari Olaniyi, and Rasheed Abiola, were arrested while other drivers escaped.
DC Gagiyo disclosed that the anti-smuggling operation lasted a week, and that each of the vehicles were conveying between 100 and 60 bags of illegally imported rice before the command’s operatives intercepted them along the bush path.
Also displayed were several confiscated motorcycles used for smuggling as well a Volkswagen Truck with registration number Lagos LXD 8870 SR, which chassis compartment was used to conceal 50 bags of smuggled rice.
Meanwhile, he said that the ban on importation of rice through the land borders was still in force warning smugglers to desist from the criminal act or face a stiff opposition from the state.
