The Nigeria Cistoms Service (NCS) has revealed why it is difficult for its officers to completely halt the smuggling of rice and other goods into the country.
Nigeria Customs Service spokesman, Mr Joseph Attah, explained to Newsmen why Custom officers would not be able to stop smuggling of rice into the country while speaking with News Agency Nigeria (NAN) following complaints by Rice Processors Association of Nigeria that the country had been flooded with smuggled rice.
The statement reads;
“We have some compatriots who are ready to serve as informants to smugglers. We are aware that some smugglers provide motorbikes and telephone handsets for some people in border communities.
“Those things are provided for informants to monitor the movement of our anti-smuggling operatives and to provide information as to where we are; where we are heading to and how some of these smugglers can safely sneak through.
“Those that have beaten the `watch-and-check’ are assisted by fellow Nigerians. That is the reason you find some smuggled items in the markets and that is why you see cases of raiding warehouses by our officers and men,’’
Attah said the Nigeria customs have been engaging the traditionla rulers in the communities of borders to be on the same page with them and to serve the interest of the country.