A bullion van that was detained in the Olorunda area of Ogun state in April 2022, for its role in the smuggling of foreign rice across the state's border villages was freed on Friday by the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun State Area II Command.
During a news conference in the state capital, Bisi Alade, the Area Comptroller of the Ogun II Command, revealed that 12 bags of imported rice were hidden in the bullion van carrying ₦24.489.500.00 in cash that belonged to a first-generation bank.
He claims that three individuals have been taken into custody, given administrative bail, and then charged with helping in smuggling in court.
“We gather here today to release the bullion van with registration number FKJ993BZ in our custody. The vehicle belongs to Warehouse Limited and the money belongs to Access Banks PLC Abeokuta branch and both were detained by the officers and men of the joint border patrol team for being used to conceal some foreign parboiled rice of 50 kilogram each.
“On 22nd April 2022, officers and men of the joint border patrol team at the Oluranda axis of Ogun State intercepted the bullion van with registration number FKJ993BZ found to have consisted of foreign parboiled rice N24, 489, 500 along the Shokoto-Ido-Doga Road Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“The foreign parboiled rice which was 12 bags was carefully concealed in the vehicle. Consequently the vehicle and the contents were conveyed to the Customs House Abeokuta for safe keeping. After conducting an examination on the vehicle, the said amount was discovered and deposited at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Abeokuta branch for safe-keeping.
“The vehicle was detained in line with Section 168 of the Nigerian Customs Service Act 2023. In connection to the above seizures, three suspects were arrested, detained, granted administrative bail and subsequently charged to court for aiding smuggling,” Alade said.
He added that based on investigation and recommendations, the CDC granted an approval for the release of the detained van and the money in line with the provision of section 24, 8, 1and 2 of the Nigerian Customs Service Act 2023.
