Officials from the Nigeria Customs Service have discovered
203 bags of imported rice,
along with five vehicles and a cache of 1,245 live
ammunition rounds worth a total of N17 million. These items were left abandoned
along a secluded path within the Yewa-North Local Government Area of Ogun
State.
Providing details to reporters on Monday, August 14th, the
Area Comptroller for the state, Bamidele Makinde, stated:
“During the early hours of Friday, August 12, 2023, the
Command’s Roving B Team intercepted five aged vehicles. Among them were a
Toyota Camry with the Chassis No. 4TIBG22KIWU312145, another Toyota Camry with
Chassis No. 4TIXK1263NU108237, and three Mazda 626 cars with Chassis Nos.
JM2GD14H201568566, JMZGF14F201173029, and JMZGF14P20141862 respectively. These
vehicles were found loaded with 203 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each
weighing 50kg. The discovery was made along an obscure path close to Tobolo
Junction, near an exit point to the Republic of Benin and in proximity to Ijoun
within the Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria.”
“Upon further examination of the seized vehicles and
their contents, a total of 1,245 rounds of 70mm (2¾”) live ammunition,
bearing the brands Lion, Trust, Supreme, and Redstar, were ingeniously
concealed within 20 bags of the intercepted foreign rice. The cumulative Duty
Paid Value of both the seized ammunition and rice amounts to N17,638,145.00.
These items have been securely deposited for safekeeping, pending further
necessary actions.”
“An ongoing investigation aims to uncover the
individuals or group responsible for this attempted smuggling of items. The
ultimate goal is to effect arrests and pursue prosecution of the involved
cartel,” Bamidele concluded.
