In a significant operation aimed at curbing smuggling and its impact on the escalating prices of commodities, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 15 trucks loaded with food items in Sokoto State. The operation, disclosed by Abubakar Chafe, the spokesperson for the NCS Sokoto Command, took place on Saturday, February 17, 2024, along the Gwadabawa-Illela road.
The decision to intercept these vehicles was informed by the substantial quantities of farm produce they were transporting, indicating potential smuggling activities. The trucks are currently being held by the command as investigations are underway to determine the ownership and intended destinations of the seized food items.
This collaborative effort involved the NCS Sokoto command, the federal operation unit, and the intelligence unit of the service, highlighting the comprehensive approach taken by the NCS to address the issue. The operation underscores the service’s commitment to mitigating the inflationary pressures on food items in Nigeria by preventing smuggling activities that contribute to rising commodity costs.