The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reacted to an accusation made by investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo that some customs officers had colluded with smugglers to bring in 130,000kg of rice from the Benin Republic.
Fisayo, in a statement issued on his social media handles, alleged that Nigerian customs officers had conspired with an alleged smuggler to illegally allow 2,000 cars to smuggle in bags of rice into the country.
He said the illegal operation was slated to take place on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
The journalist wrote: “All is set. Your men, working with Adeyemi Habeeb Abdulganiy, the multi billionaire-smuggler better known as Abuga, are primed to pass more than 2,000 cars containing at least 65 bags of rice each from Bebe in the Benin Republic into Sango, Nigeria.
“Some of these cars will enter Sango from the toll gate by driving against traffic, consequently endangering lives, while some will gain entry into Sango through Ifo; others will use the Oju-Ore-Ota route.
“Road users in Sango can expect traffic congestion early tomorrow morning unless this post prompts an about-face from the actors. I understand as well that soldiers from the 192 battalion at Owode will be patrolling during the journey to prevent any resistance.
“So, @CustomsNG, just so you know, the people are watching; they will be hysterically laughing at you when you announce “seizure of one million bags of rice and 25 cartons of guns” later his week.”
When contacted, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, described the allegations as fictitious.
Speaking further in a statement made available to SaharaReproters, the customs official said: “The various units and formations of the Nigeria Customs Service are ever ready to suppress smuggling activities to the barest minimum and will not relent in doing so.
“The service is equally aware of disgruntled and/or sponsored individuals masquerading as good Samaritans but with the aim of diverting the attention of officers to achieve ulterior motive.
“Sometimes aiding the activities of ‘factional’ smuggling gang themselves. Unfortunately, I can’t share the service’s active intelligence with you, but I assure you, we are ahead of them and fully prepared to deal decisively with smugglers and their cohorts in line with our laws.
“By the way, the writer needs to revisit his arithmetic classes. 2,000 vehicles carrying 65 bags of 50 Kg each will be about six million and five hundred Thousand (6,500,000) Kilograms and not 130,000Kg. But his 130,000Kg can be carried by 40 vehicles carrying 65 bags of 50kg each.”
Sahara Reporters
