Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service have made a significant interception. They came across a stash of 203 bags of imported rice along with five vehicles and 1,245 rounds of live ammunition valued at N17 million. These items were abandoned in a remote bush path situated within the Yewa-North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
In a statement made by the state's Area Comptroller, Bamidele Makinde, he confirmed this development to the media on Monday, August 14.
He revealed, "At approximately 0024 hours on Friday, 12th August, 2023, the Roving B Team of the Command successfully intercepted five older vehicles. These vehicles include a Toyota Camry with Chassis No. 4TIBG22KIWU312145, another Toyota Camry with Chassis No. 4TIXK1263NU108237, and three Mazda 626 cars with Chassis Nos. JM2GD14H201568566, JMZGF14F201173029, and JMZGF14P20141862 respectively."
These vehicles were loaded with a total of 203 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg. They were found abandoned in a remote bush path near Tobolo Junction, close to an exit point leading to the Republic of Benin. This location is near Ijoun within the Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria.
Further inspection of the seized vehicles and items led to a surprising discovery. Approximately 1,245 rounds of 70mm (2¾”) live ammunition, branded as Lion, Trust, Supreme, and Redstar cartridges, were cleverly concealed within 20 bags of the intercepted foreign rice.
The Duty Paid Value of the confiscated ammunition and rice is calculated at N17,638,145.00. Both the items have been securely stored, pending further necessary actions in the ongoing investigation. The authorities are actively working to uncover the cartel responsible for the attempted smuggling of these items, with the intention to make arrests and proceed with prosecution."
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