FOU Zone B Intercepts 250 Bags of Smuggled Rice

…Handover Seized Drugs and Chemicals to NAFDAC, NESREA

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Kaduna, has recorded another major operational breakthrough with the interception of a petroleum truck used in concealing smuggled rice.

Speaking with journalist on the development, the Unit Controller, Comptroller AM Alkali said the operation took place on Saturday, 3 August 2025, along the Yauri–Kontagora Road in Kebbi State, where officers acting on credible intelligence intercepted a Daf tanker truck. Upon escorting the vehicle to Kaduna for detailed inspection, it was discovered that 250 bags of foreign parboiled rice were hidden within the bowel of the tanker.

“The rice was concealed in a highly deceptive manner inside a fuel tanker, but thanks to the diligence of our officers, the smuggling attempt was foiled,” Comptroller Alkali stated, putting the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the impounded rice at ₦20,510,000.

Speaking further, he assured that no antics deployed by smugglers will go undetected adding that the command’s proactive intelligence-driven approach and routine patrols are key to curbing smuggling across the zone.

“We will continue to tighten the noose on economic saboteurs through credible intelligence and unrelenting enforcement.”

In a related development, the command on Wednesday, 17 July 2025, handed over a consignment of unregistered medicaments and hazardous chemicals to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

The items handed over included 58,740 sachets of 100mg and 50mg unregistered medicaments, 27 cartons of Analgin injection, received by the Director, NAFDAC Kaduna State Command; and three sacks containing 990 pieces of Riodin chemicals, received by the Head of NESREA Kaduna State Office.

Comptroller Alkali noted that the handover was in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ directive on enhanced inter-agency cooperation.

“This action reinforces our commitment to public safety and environmental protection through effective partnerships,” he said.

Compt. Alkali (l) and a representative of one of the seizure receiving agency

He also used the opportunity to commend the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, on the extension of his tenure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, describing it as recognition of his reform-driven leadership and professional excellence.

Comptroller Alkali reaffirmed the Unit’s dedication to its mandate and called on Nigerians to continue supporting the Service with credible information that can aid operations.

“Together, we can protect our economy and secure our borders from the menace of smuggling,” he said.