In a bold move to combat the escalating food crisis, the Federal Government’s crackdown on illicit grain trafficking has yielded a significant haul.
A staggering 141 trucks laden with grains, bound for border crossings into neighboring nations, were halted in their tracks. The operation, spearheaded by the vigilant Nigeria Customs Service, marks a critical juncture in the ongoing battle against food inflation and the soaring cost of living.
The Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, spearheading the charge, unveiled the impressive two-week tally: 120 trucks intercepted by Customs, and an additional 21 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. This concerted effort underscores a resolute stance against the shadowy figures attempting to siphon off Nigeria’s food reserves.
Amidst this backdrop of heightened security, the truck drivers, weary and wary of the lurking danger posed by marauding hoodlums, stand on the precipice of a strike—a move that could paralyze the nation’s supply chains.
The crisis deepens as warehouses, the bulwarks of the private sector’s contributions to food security, bear the brunt of looting sprees. In a brazen display of defiance, hoodlums laid siege to a warehouse in the Dei-Dei area, making off with rice and grains meant for the needy. Not far behind, another group’s attempt to plunder the Idu Industrial Estate was thwarted by vigilant troops.
The ripple effect of these attacks sends shockwaves through the industry, with the private sector sounding the alarm on a potential nationwide industrial shutdown.
In a strategic pivot, President Bola Tinubu’s directive has turned the tide, transforming captured contraband into a boon for local markets.
The redistribution of seized goods is poised to deflate the ballooning prices of staples, providing much-needed relief to consumers.
The Customs CG’s message is clear: the fight against hunger must not be undermined by profiteers.
As the nation grapples with food scarcity, the call to action is for sustainable, long-term solutions, not fleeting fixes.
The road ahead is challenging, but the resolve is unwavering—to ensure food security for all Nigerians.
