The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has uncovered unwholesome rice among others⁴ confirmed to be injurious to human health.
Acting Controller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, who disclosed this in Lagos at a media briefing, showed seizures worth a total duty payable value of N533,169,520 made in April.
He said the information is necessary for public awareness to safeguard citizens health.
Ejibunu added that the discovery was made by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) after conducting test analysis on some of the previously seized rice consignments.
While advising consumers to desist from patronising any product or commodity banned by the Federal Government, the Acting Comptroller described the poisonous rice as one that holds potentials for negative health impact beyond the economic disadvantage.
On the unrelenting anti smuggling efforts of the unit, the Acting Controller said a total of 12 smuggling suspects were arrested in April while warning perpetrators to desist or face wrath of the law.
“Pursuant to the federal government’s policy that encourages local production of rice against the importation of foreign parboiled rice. This Unit had seized 7,259 (of 50 kg each) bags of rice an equivalent of over twelve (12) trucks load.
“Sequel to a laboratory test analysis on some of the previously seized foreign parboiled rice by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“One of the test parameters indicated some contents of lead (a soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element) in the tested rice; making it unfit for human consumption,” says Ejibunu.
Consequent upon this laboratory analysis on the foreign parboiled rice, as a responsible government agency, he noted that that are letting Nigerians know that apart from the negative economic impact of importing foreign rice into the country, some of these imported rice are unhealthy for human consumption.
“Thus, we advise consumers to desist from patronising the federal government banned foreign parboiled rice. We as citizens have a collective responsibility to safeguard our economy and health for the benefit of all, ” the Acting Controller said.
The unit also collected revenue totaling N111,825,873.75 through demand notices issued after shortfalls were discovered as a result of meticulous documentary checks to prevent loss of government revenue. Giving a breakdown of the April 2022 seizures, the Acting Controller listed the following items as seized following intensive anti smuggling onslaught: 55,800 litres of PMS, 73 bales of used clothes, 82 units of used fridges, 104 pieces of compressors.
Others are: 143 bales of new textile, 1,264 pieces of used tyres, 156 cartons of frozen poultry, 7,960 pairs of new shoes, 240 pieces of ladies purse, 93 cartons of tin tomato, and two units of foreign used vehicles 11 pieces of used rugs.
While thanking compliant importers, DC Ejibunu advised members of the trading public to keep abreast with import and export prohibition lists and be guided accordingly. He said the FOU Zone A’ is better mobilised to prosecute government anti smuggling agenda and enforce policies that falls within it’s purview.