The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Katsina state command says it arrested an oil tanker used to smuggle rice into the country.
The Area Controller of Customs, Adewale Aremu, said this on Wednesday while parading the seized items.
He said the smugglers concealed 210 bags of 50kg rice in two out of the three compartments of the vehicle.
He said the vehicle, registration number SBG 419 XA, was seized at Dutsinma after officers received information that the tanker was actually conveying rice instead of the usual fuel.
Aremu said the occupants of the vehicle were apprehended while another man, who was at the customs headquarters to identify himself as the owner of the vehicle was also arrested.
“Are being investigated before a legal action would be instituted against the smugglers,” he said.
Aremu said the Command also seized several vehicles that were smuggled into the country including a BMW 2014 model, worth N3m and a Toyota Hilux 2020 worth N6m.
“Others are Toyota Land Cruiser worth N17 million, and the truck carrying the rice valued at N13 million, putting the total value of the seized item at N32.87million,” he said.
