The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’ in Kaduna, has intercepted 250 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed inside a fuel tanker in Kebbi State.
The operation, which was carried out on Saturday, August 3, 2025, followed credible intelligence gathered by Customs operatives along the Yauri-Kontagora road.
The suspicious DAF tanker, typically used for transporting petroleum products, was intercepted and escorted to the Unit’s headquarters in Kaduna for a thorough inspection.
Upon examination, officers discovered that the tanker had been cleverly modified to hide 250 bags of rice, which are still under import restriction in Nigeria.
The Acting Comptroller of the Unit, AM Alkali, confirmed that the duty paid value of the seized goods is estimated at ₦20.51 million.
Speaking on the seizure, Alkali stated, “Our officers acted on actionable intelligence, intercepted the truck, and discovered 250 bags of foreign parboiled rice concealed inside.
This is a clear attempt to outsmart law enforcement, but our operatives acted swiftly and professionally.”
Zone ‘B’ is one of the largest enforcement zones of the Nigeria Customs Service, covering ten states and the Federal Capital Territory. These include Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, and Kogi.
In a related operation, the unit also handed over large volumes of unregistered pharmaceutical products and hazardous chemicals to regulatory agencies. On July 17, 2025, Customs turned over 58,740 sachets of unapproved medications and 27 cartons of banned Analgin injections to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Additionally, 990 pieces of a restricted chemical substance known as Riodin were handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), due to their potential environmental and public health risks.
During the press briefing, Comptroller Alkali commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for extending the tenure of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. He described the extension as a sign of confidence in Adeniyi’s leadership, noting that his reform-oriented vision has continued to modernize and professionalize the Customs Service.
