Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted 139 bags of foreign parboiled rice being smuggled into Kwara State. The contraband, concealed in two vehicles, was seized on Monday along the Shao-Jebba Expressway in Moro Local Government Area during “Operation Checkmate.”
The vehicles, a Mazda sedan (LNR465AL) and a Premacy wagon (RA264AA), were stopped by alert soldiers manning a checkpoint. Preliminary investigations revealed the drivers were headed to an undisclosed destination before being apprehended by the 22 Armoured Brigade.
Major-General Oluwafemi Williams, Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, handed over the seized items to Faith Mathew Ojeifo, Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service, Kwara Area Command. He stated that the action aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision to strengthen inter-agency efforts against smuggling.
Comptroller Ojeifo commended the Army for their collaboration, emphasizing that such partnerships significantly enhance operations. "This underscores the critical role of synergy in safeguarding the economy and ensuring adherence to customs regulations," she said.
