The Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have initiated a crackdown on smugglers and food hoarders nationwide by intensifying border surveillance.
This action follows the declaration of a two-day protest by Organised Labour against the prevailing economic challenges in the country.
Sources within the Presidency and the NCS revealed that a task force, established by President Bola Tinubu to address food hoarding, has heightened surveillance at Nigeria’s land borders across Borno, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Jigawa states, identifying them as “dark spots.”
This development occurred shortly after an emergency meeting between the President, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and state governors at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
During the meeting, Tinubu, citing extensive food hoarding in Kano State, directed the National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, and Director-General of the Department of State Services to coordinate closely and ensure that security agencies inspect warehouses containing such hoarded food items.
Tinubu also dismissed the idea of importing food as part of strategies to address the high cost of foodstuffs and economic challenges plaguing the country.
Despite the North-West and North-East regions being responsible for 80% of Nigeria’s grain production, violence in these areas has significantly disrupted supplies. Moreover, the National Bureau of Statistics reports that at least 63% of Nigeria’s 220 million people live in extreme poverty.
A Presidency source revealed ongoing government operations targeting food hoarders and smugglers, indicating that cartels are exploiting the round-tripping system to smuggle goods across borders, resulting in price hikes.
The source explained that these cartels purchase grains, transport them to neighboring countries like Niger Republic, then bring them back to Nigeria at inflated prices. To counter these activities, the government has heightened security across the borders in key states known for smuggling activities.
The source further revealed that security agencies have uncovered large stores of hoarded food items, primarily by major companies disguising them as manufacturing feed and other products.
Confirming the operations, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, stated that the service has revamped its alert mechanisms and intensified operations across the borders to curb smuggling activities.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has opposed the planned two-day protest by Organised Labour, asserting that the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress are often too quick to resort to industrial actions.
In response, the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, emphasized the government’s commitment to dialogue and assured that efforts were ongoing to address the concerns raised by labour unions.
In another development, some rice millers in Gombe State attributed the rising price of rice to the scarcity of paddy caused by hoarding activities. They described the situation as frustrating and called for government intervention to curb hoarding and increase investment in the agriculture sector.
Additionally, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has urged citizens to observe a one-day voluntary fast on Monday and offer special prayers for divine intervention over the current economic challenges facing the state. He emphasized the importance of focusing on peace, prosperity, and development in Borno State during these prayers.