The Nigeria Customs Service has seized 4,200 50kg bags of smuggled rice in Mopa village, near Kabba in Kogi state.

The Deputy Comptroller and National Coordinator, Comptroller General Strike Force, Mr Abdullahi Kirawa, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

He said the seizures were as a result of synergy between the Nigeria Police, Army, Department of States Security Service and the Customs Intelligent Unit.

“The Strike Force team intercepted seven trucks loaded with 50kg bags of smuggled rice, each truck carrying 600 bags. These bags of rice were seized on Saturday, August 4, in Mopa near Kabba in Kogi State. Also, eight days ago the team seized 1,246 bags of smuggled rice through the creeks in Ogun State,”Kirawa said.

He added that the policies of the government on importation should be obeyed by those engaged in importation business.

On smuggling of refined sugar, he said if brought into the country through unapproved routes, it would be considered as smuggled.

He, therefore, said the refined sugar would have the same fate as the seized rice.

Kirawa said the Strike Force team has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that smuggling is brought to its minimum.