‘To mitigate current hardship’ — customs to distribute seized food items

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says seized food items will be distributed to Nigerians to help mitigate the current hardship in the country.

Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of NCS, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday by Abdullahi Maiwada, public relations officer of the service, in Abuja.

On February 15, President Bola Tinubu had an emergency meeting with the 36 governors of the federation.

At the meeting, Tinubu directed the governors to collaborate with security agencies to stop food hoarding, by monitoring the warehouses of merchants profiteering from such activities.

The president also said he would not approve food importation and price control to encourage local food production.

According to Adeniyi, the move is to reaffirm his commitment to advancing Tinubu’s food security agenda, as outlined in the NCS’s core mandate of serving Nigeria’s best interests, including facilitating economic stability and prosperity.

He also said the move is in response to the current challenges of food security in Nigeria and the increasingly high costs of essential food items.

“This urgent imperative fuels the need for a proactive stance to safeguard food availability within our nation and alleviate the detrimental effects of scarcity on citizens,” Adeniyi said.

“Furthermore, to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and improve access to essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service will facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the federal government.

“These items will be certified fit for consumption by relevant agencies and made available to ordinary Nigerians nationwide through equitable distribution in our areas of operations.

“The modalities for the disposal will be communicated through NCS formations nationwide, with a firm commitment to transparency, fairness, and public safety.

“It is our pledge that this exercise will be managed diligently to ensure that the benefits reach those most in need.”

Adeniyi said NCS remains resolute in its dedication to safeguarding the nation’s food security and advancing the economic well-being of all Nigerians with the cooperation of the public.