The Nigeria Customs Service in Kano announced that it seized for trucks trying to smuggle assorted food items into Niger Republic.
The Customs Kano Area Command spokesman, Saidu Nuradeen in a statement revealed that the trucks were loaded with 1,505 cartons of fish, bags of Rice, beans among other food items.
The Customs spokesman said that the seizure was made along the Hadejia – Taura – Ringim axis in Jigawa State, a popular route among smugglers.
He noted that the seizure was in line with current border protocol of the Economic Committee of West African States (ECOWAS) which has closed down land borders with Niger.
Part of the statement reads:
“Smuggling undermines legitimate trade channels, poses risks to public health, and deprives the government of much-needed revenue.
“The NCS reiterates its unwavering commitment to combat smuggling activities across all entry points into the country.”
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger had recently pulled out from the regional bloc citing deviation from original ideas of the founding fathers.
Many Northern states in Nigeria has also indicated their resolve to stop large movement of food items out of the states as a result of the escalating food crisis in Nigeria.