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Customs to sell seized food items at discounted prices, says NIN is required
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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says the beneficiaries of its planned distribution of seized food items must have a verifiable national identification number (NIN).
On February 20, 2024, customs had said seized food items would be distributed to Nigerians to help mitigate the current hardship in the country.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Bashir Adewale, comptroller-general of customs, said the decision, which followed government approval, is part of NCS’ dedication to ensuring food security in the country.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding the food security of Nigerians, the NCS has secured approval from the government to dispose of these seized food items to needy Nigerians at discounted prices,” he said.
“The criteria for Nigerians to benefit from the initiative include having a verifiable national identification number (NIN).”
Adewale said the target groups are artisans, teachers, nurses, religious entities, and other Nigerians within its operational zones.
“The intention is to reach out directly to members through these organised structures to ensure the maximum impact of this exercise,” the comptroller-general said.
“To ensure the security and integrity of this initiative, NCS has put in place comprehensive measures. These measures encompass robust security protocols throughout the process.
“Our officers will be closely monitoring the entire supply chain to prevent any misuse or diversion of the food items. Moreover, we have established strict guidelines and eligibility criteria to ensure that the items are distributed only to those in genuine need.”
Additionally, he said NCS will be working closely with relevant agencies for guaranteed compliance with the terms of the programme.
“It is imperative that beneficiaries of this exercise understand that the items are not to be resold. We take a strong stance against any form of profiteering or exploitation of this initiative. We urge Nigerians to report any incidents of misuse or unauthorised resale of the seized food items,” Adewale said.
“NCS is fully committed to transparency and accountability in this process, and we will not hesitate to take decisive action against any individuals or entities found to be in violation of the terms of this program.”
The sale of food items, which will begin tomorrow across the zonal offices of the agency, will start with the sale of 25kg bag of rice at a discounted price of N10,000.
‘FOOD ITEMS CAN ONLY BE EXPORTED WHEN SUFFICIENT INTERNALLY’
Adewale said in recent months, the government has been addressing the challenges faced within the country, particularly the lagged effects of insecurity and the current exchange rate issues.
“These challenges have exacerbated concerns about food security, leading to a concerning trend where food items are moving out massively to neighbouring countries,” he said.
Some of the items listed by the comptroller-general include over 20,000 bags of assorted grains (rice, beans, maize, guinea corn, millet, and soya beans.
Also, 2,500 cartons and 963 bags of dried fish were listed among the items.
Others, he said, are dried pepper, tomatoes, cooking oil, maggi, macaroni, salt, sugar, and garri.
“This trend is not sustainable as it puts pressure on our productive capacity and threatens our food security,” he said.
“To address this, the NCS has remained responsive in carrying out its mandate to protect our borders from the inflow and outflow of restricted goods. One concerning trend noticed is the outflow of food items in huge quantities, posing a threat to our food security.”
Adewale said an item can only be exported if it is internally sufficient.
Consequently, he said food items that do not meet these specifications will be intercepted at the border.
News
EFCC warns casino operators, real estate agents against money laundering
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The Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) money laundering.
Businesses referred to as DNFBPs include casinos, real estate agents, dealers in precious metals, dealers in precious stones, lawyers, notaries and other independent legal professionals.
Speaking during a one-day sensitisation programme organised by the special control unit against money laundering, (SCUML) for DNFBPs, Michael Wetkaz, director of EFCC in Lagos, said businesses should not create room for criminally-minded people to thrive.
“The financial institutions, to a large extent, have been regulated; and the issues of terrorism have been of great concern, globally,” he said.
”As a result, nations have tightened measures to ensure that the bad people have very limited space or even no space to operate, thereby helping to improve safety and security.
“But if you allow these criminal activities to pass through your businesses, it will worsen the insecurity situation in the country.”
He said the business operators should do their part and report financial activities that may threaten the security of the country.
“Please, do your part and report activities that you are obligated to report. We are doing our part to sensitize you,” he said.
“We are doing our part to sensitize you. We do this, so you know what we are supposed to do and you are not caught on the wrong side of the law. We should all work together to make it difficult for the bad actors.”
News
FRSC to clamp down on vehicles without speed limit devices
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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command, says it will start arresting drivers and impounding vehicles without speed limit devices in the state.
The FRSC Sector Commander, Mrs Joyce Alexander, said this at a news conference on Friday, in Awka.
Alexander said that records had shown that the majority of road crashes were caused by speed violations resulting in tyre bursts and loss of control.
She said the enforcement became necessary as drivers speed recklessly, overload their vehicles and transport people, animals and goods, regardless of the consequences.
“The policy thrust of the new Corps Marshall is to rejig operations, reassess and reevaluate them for better performance in Anambra.
“I want to put FRSC on a central map in Anambra, create impact and reduce road crashes and disobedience to traffic rules.
“We will commence minimal enforcement to achieve this. Motorists have been mandated to fix speed limit devices but some have not complied.
“We will start arresting defaulters and make them pay fines. We will insist they install the device before we release their vehicles,” she said.
The Sector Commander said a joint task force would be constituted in collaboration with other sister agencies to decongest and ensure sanity on the roads during the ‘Ember’ months.
She said the Corps would also work with the media to amplify public sensitisation and enlightenment on traffic regulations.
“We will be working with the state government to ensure the roads are motorable, obstructions removed and road signs installed in appropriate areas.
“The endgame is to have a situation where road users arrive at their destinations alive and safe,” Alexander said.
Deputy Corps Commander Jude Nnamani urged the public to cooperate with FRSC to reduce crashes in the state.
News
EFCC hands over 53 recovered vehicles, $180,300 to Canadian police
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over $180,300 recovered funds to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The commission also said 53 vehicles stolen from Canada and brought into Nigeria were recovered nationwide have been handed over to the Canadian police.
At the handover ceremony on Friday, Ola Olukoyode, EFCC chairman, said the recovered assets—which were stolen by wire fraud and romance scam—would be returned to the victims.
Out of the total sum, $164,000 was reportedly stolen from Elena Bogomas, a Canadian national, in a romance scam, while $16,300 was from one Sandra Butler.
“It is common knowledge that financial crimes have taken a new turn all across the globe. It has become a global problem,” Olukoyode said.
“What affects one country in a matter of time, will affect other countries. The people who perpetrate these crimes, they do it in such a way that we discover that their activities are quite borderless and boundless.
“They employ all kinds of means to ensure that they move across various jurisdictions. That’s why it has become very necessary and imperative for us to collaborate with our friends across the world. People share the same objective and mandate with us.
“The Canadian royal mounted police has been collaborating with us and the demonstration of that collaboration has resulted in a lot of recoveries.
“As an agency and as a country, we are always ready to fight financial crime. Nigeria shouldn’t be seen as a hub. It is also to demonstrate that the government of Nigeria will never tolerate acts of financial crimes.
“We have recovered money, financial assets, and also we have recovered vehicles on behalf of the victims in Canada. As a matter of fact, a total of 53 vehicles were recovered on behalf of the victims. Also, in one instance, we had $164,000 U.S. dollars given to a Canadian victim known as Eleanor Bogomas. And also, we have here, another sum of $16,000 U.S. dollars stolen from another victim known as Sandra Butler.”
Nasser Sadiou, liaison officer, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Robert Aboumitri, first secretary of the Deputy High Commission of Canada, were present at the event.
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