The Nigeria Customs Service in Sokoto State has intercepted a truck loaded with 525 bags of smuggled rice said to be worth N11m.

The contraband, according to the Customs Area Comptroller in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Mr. Nasir Ahmed, were hidden in a fuel tanker.

Ahmed explained that the rice was intercepted on Koko-Yauri Road, on its way to Suleja in Niger State, adding that consumption of such rice posed a serious health risk to Nigerians.

He said,

“This is an oil tanker that is used in carrying black oil. This poses serious health risk and hazard to those who consume the rice because it has been contaminated.

“I want to commend our men on surveillance, who waited for them at Koko-Yauri Road, where it diverted from its normal route, which is Sokoto-Gusau Road.

“Our surveillance team were able to arrest them at 2am and brought the trailer back to Sokoto,” he added.

Also paraded were the driver, the conductor and the escort while the Comptroller noted that the command was still on the trail of the owner, who he said was on the run.

He advised smugglers to “go back to the farm and engage in rice production through the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme, rather than indulge in activities that would sabotage the nation’s economy.”