The Nigerian Customs Service intercepted a truck packed with 800 bags of smuggled rice. The truck belongs to the largest conglomerate in Nigeria, Dangote Plc.
Aliyu Mohammed, Custom Unit Controller, on Wednesday, announced the confiscation when he addressed reporters.
Mr Mohammed stated that “The truck is also confiscated as it is a vehicle for transporting contraband goods. The truck has become a property of the federal government and is auctioned if necessary.”
He said the customs also seized a truckload of codeine syrup worth around N240 million along Lagos ‘ Mile 2-Oshodi expressway.
Between February and March this year, Mr Mohammed said the unit seized 1,000 tramadol sachets worth N250,000 around the Ogun State Sagamu axis ; 13,810 of 50-kilogram rice bags worth N190,961,320 ; chest and lung tablets worth N105,600,000, among others.
Anthony Chiejina, Dangote Plc’s spokesperson, said he was not aware of the development when he was contacted.
To verify for the information, he promised to contact the Customs. He said, “I’d get in touch with the customs unit and come back to you.”
At the time of this report, he was yet to do that.
Dangote has called on members of the public repeatedly to report any of its trucks which convey goods not connected with the company.
No rice is produced or imported by Dangote.
