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Customs to sell seized food items at discounted prices, says NIN is required

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
Afe Babalola to withdraw defamation suit against Farotimi

Afe Babalola, the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says he will withdraw the defamation suit filed against Dele Farotimi, a human rights advocate.
In December, Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and whisked to Ekiti.
Farotimi was remanded by the Ekiti state magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti for 21 days after he was accused of “criminally defaming” Babalola in a book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.
He regained freedom on December 24, after being granted bail of N30 million by the court.
NAN reports that Babalola, who spoke at the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other first class traditional rulers at a midnight meeting, said he has agreed to withdraw the case.
He said he had received several letters as well as calls on the issue from eminent Nigerians, including from ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo and Matthew Kukah, the bishop of Sokoto diocese.
Babalola said he acquiesced to the traditional rulers’ entreaties because he has nothing to gain from Farotimi’s imprisonment.
The senior advocate assured the chiefs that he would direct his lawyers to withdraw the case.
Ogunwusi said Yoruba leaders and the traditional institution have been following the development keenly.
The monarch added that he and others resolved to intervene so that Babalola “can pardon his son, Farotimi”.
The Ooni of Ife also lauded Babalola for his integrity and urged him to remain steadfast.
News
Wike makes U-turn on state police creation, says governors would abuse powers

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says Nigeria does not have the institutional capacity for state policing.
The creation of state police has been on the front burner for years now, with many governors advocating for its implementation to enhance security within their domains.
Last year, Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, announced that all 36 state governments had submitted their reports backing the creation of state police.
He said state policing would serve as a crucial step towards improving security across the country.
Speaking during a media chat on Sunday, Wike said the adoption of state or community policing would birth autocratic governors in several states.
“In Nigeria, what system do we run? Is Abuja different from Nigeria when you talk about the police? People have been recommending community policing and state police,” he said.
“Knowing where we are, and where we are from, if you allow that, so many people would not come out of their houses. So, I said let’s try it first and see how it works.
“But so many people said there’s no need to try, that we have seen that if they allow state policing today, nobody would oppose any state governor. It is either you would die for murder or for armed robbery. Our institutions are not such that are independent.”
The former governor said his previous support for state police does not necessarily mean it is still the right decision today.
“The mere fact that I supported state police [when I was governor], if I was wrong, I was wrong. If I was right, I was right,” he said.
“What we are saying is that our institutions are not strong to be independent of manipulation by the system.”
During his first term as governor, Wike assented to a bill establishing the neighbourhood safety corps.
Some of the functions of the corps included the detection of crime, arrest of offenders with or without a warrant, and bearing arms in the performance of their duties, among others.
News
EFCC confirms killing of officer in Anambra, says personnel were on legitimate duty

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the killing of Aminu Salisu, an assistant superintendent officer (ASO), in Anambra.
Salisu was allegedly killed by Joshua Ikechukwu, a suspected internet fraudster, during an arrest operation in Anambra on Friday.
In a statement on Sunday, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, said the late officer was killed while discharging a legitimate duty.
Oyewale said the suspect, who spotted investigators via closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras mounted at his doorstep, refused to open his door despite their “polite request for entrance.”
“Aminu Sahabi Salisu, assistant superintendent of the EFCC, alongside other investigators of the EFCC, were at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, to arrest some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of January 17,” the statement said.
“The operation was duly documented at the Anambra state command headquarters and area command of the Nigeria Police in line with operational protocols.
“The operation was initially smooth sailing with 37 suspected internet fraudsters already arrested at a two-storey building housing Ikechukwu and other occupants of the house.
“However, Joshua Ikechukwu, who sighted the investigators through a CCTV camera mounted at his doorpost and who also confessed sighting them, declined to open his door for the investigators, who politely demanded entrance to his apartment.
“Defying all the introduction and physical sighting of the investigators, he resorted to firing shots at them and killed Salisu in the process and wounded another officer detailed to conduct a search in his apartment.”
The EFCC spokesperson said preliminary investigations showed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy.
He said two laptops, iPads, and several recording devices were recovered from his apartment, adding that though currently in police custody, the commission would bring him to trial.
Oyewale said the commission “viewed with concern irresponsible narratives on the fatal accident and faceless commentators supporting an alleged criminal”.
He added that the anti-graft agency also commiserated with the family of the slain officer and appreciated support from sister agencies and well-meaning individuals.
“It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz,” he said.
“More worrisome is the fact that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty.
“There is no justification whatsoever to rationalise a murderous act. The milk of human kindness demands that a grieving family, commission, and nation should be spared the shenanigans of false narratives and conjectures on the death of the slain officer.
“The EFCC also wishes to alert the public that the activities of internet fraudsters are becoming patently hazardous to public safety and security.
“Intelligence has shown that these criminals are carrying arms and are involved in kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings, and other deadly acts.
“The public should not fold its arms or allow itself to be deceived that they are mere ‘Yahoo boys and girls”.
“As for the EFCC, every subsequent attack on any of its officers will be met with the force of the law. The Commission will not fold its arms and allow any of its officers to be killed again in cold blood.
“As a law enforcement agency of repute, the EFCC is unrelenting in ridding the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption.
“While mourning the loss of its officer who paid the supreme price in the service of the nation, the Commission appreciates the invaluable support, condolences, and prompt response of sister agencies and well-meaning individuals standing shoulder to shoulder with it at this trying time.”