The Nigeria Customs Service's Comptroller-General, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd), has revealed that over 2,000 of its personnel who were discovered to have violated the system in the previous seven years have been fired and prosecuted. He has cautioned Nigerians against falling for scams from these officers.
The customs chief general acknowledged today at the weekly ministerial briefing that the fight against smuggling has taken on a tougher and more sophisticated aspect, noting that the agency is working with the Nigerian Airforce to acquire more aircraft to efficiently intercept smuggling across borders.
He further cautioned against consuming imported foreign rice which he said is dangerous to human health.
The Customs boss explained the imported rice are preserved with chemical and has a short life span and for this reason, their officers engage in regular seizures of these items from the markets to safeguard the health of Nigerians.
According to him, the seized foreign rice is distributed to IDP camps and the needy, particularly those affected by the crisis (after certification by NAFDAC).
He noted that so far the customs have generated 2.143 trillion nairas in 2022, as against the projected 3.019 trillion because it is yet to commence the collection of telecommunications tax and has just commenced that of carbonated drinks.