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The Federal Government has intensified efforts to combat food smuggling in a bid to tackle the ongoing food inflation crisis. On Tuesday, it was revealed that authorities had intercepted 141 trucks attempting to smuggle grains and other staples to neighbouring countries, including Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic.
According to Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), within two weeks, about 120 trucks smuggling food items out of Nigeria were apprehended, with an additional 21 trucks intercepted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday.
The crackdown comes amidst escalating attacks on truck drivers and warehouses by hoodlums, further exacerbating the food scarcity and cost of living crisis in the country. Several incidents of looting and vandalism have been reported, prompting concerns within the organized private sector and warnings of potential industry shutdowns.
In response to these challenges, President Bola Tinubu has directed that seized food items be diverted to local markets to stabilize prices and alleviate food shortages. Additionally, efforts are underway to auction seized grains to vulnerable Nigerians and sell imported food items back to local markets for resale.
Despite these measures, challenges persist, with inadequate security on the roads posing a significant threat to truck drivers and transport operations. Yusuf Othman, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), warned of a potential strike by truck drivers if attacks and looting continue unabated.
Othman emphasized the need for state governments to address security concerns and urged the public to refrain from targeting trucks transporting essential goods. He stressed the importance of holistic solutions to safeguard food distribution and ensure the well-being of citizens across the country.
