Men of the Nigerian Customs Service in Sokoto state have seized 460 bags of contaminated rice valued at N7.8million hidden in an oil tanker.
According to the NCS Area Comptroller in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Mr. Nasir Ahmed, the contraband which was hidden in an oil tanker pose “serious health risk” to consumers. Ahmed said:
“This is an oil tanker belonging to one of the major oil distributors that is now used in carrying black oil (contraband). This poses serious health risk and hazard to those who consume the rice because it has been contaminated.
“The plan of the smugglers is to repackage the rice and sell it to innocent Nigerians as soon as they reach their destination in Niger State. We will not allow such unscrupulous persons to put the lives of our citizens at risk.”
He said the command had already arrested one person in connection with the contraband.