As massive smuggling of foreign rice into the country’s markets persists, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has directed its Controllers and Unit Heads to collaborate with sister agencies to intensify surveillance and patrol at five identified borders.

They include Kongoram, Babura, Saki, Seme and Owode borders, which aid the nefarious activity of smuggling.

Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) has recently raised an alarm over the massive smuggling of foreign rice through the aforementioned borders using floaters, boats and trucks.

An internal memo dated February 1, 2021 and signed by U. G. Mohammed, an Acting Assistant Comptroller-General, which was obtained by PRNigeria, urged the Comptrollers and Unit Heads to be alive to their responsibilities.

He pointed out that they will be personally held liable for the action or inaction of their officers.

“Following the recent phased reopening of land borders in the nation, there have been myriads of reports on massive smuggling of rice which have since flooded Nigerian markets as reported in several Nigerian dailies with pictorial evidences.

“The Comptroller-General frowns at this development as it negates the government’s agricultural policy and portends grave danger to the nation’s economy, and therefore remedial measures must be put in place to tackle this dangerous trend, as a matter of urgency,” part of the memo reads.