The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a two-pronged strategy to combat rising food prices and ensure food security, which includes cracking down on illegal food exports and distributing seized food items to Nigerians.
NCS announced the strategies in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The commission said it has launched a “strategic anti-smuggling operation” to stop the illegal export of essential food items like rice, beans, maize, etc. for citizens’ economic gains.
It noted the need for this preventative measure to safeguard food availability within Nigeria and alleviate the detrimental effects of scarcity on citizens
“The service has launched a strategic anti-smuggling operation and public engagement in its commitment to prevent the unlawful exportation of vital food resources for individual economic gains,” NCS declared.
The customs service also announced that the food items seized and deemed safe for consumption would be distributed and donated directly to Nigerians across the country.
“The modalities for the disposal will be communicated through NCS formations nationwide, with a firm commitment to transparency, fairness, and public safety,” it added.
“It is our pledge that this exercise will be managed diligently to ensure that the benefits reach those most in need.”
NCS also stated that all these measures are put in place to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and improve access to essential food items.
It added that it will facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the federal government.
Relevant agencies, according to NCS, will certify these items as safe for consumption before making them available to ordinary Nigerians nationwide through equitable distribution in their areas of operation.
