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A joint operation involving the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced to clamp down on smugglers and hoarders of food items across the country.
The intensified surveillance at Nigeria's land borders across Borno, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Jigawa states follows the declaration of a two-day protest by Organised Labour against the current economic challenges in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu reportedly established a task force to address food hoarding, directing the National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, and Director-General of the DSS to coordinate closely in inspecting warehouses and taking action against hoarders.
The President ruled out food imports as a strategy to address high food prices and economic hardship. The North-West and North-East, which produce 80% of Nigeria's grain, have faced supply disruptions due to violence, with 63% of the country's 220 million people living in extreme poverty, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
A source in the Presidency revealed ongoing operations targeting food hoarders, noting that cartels were using round-tripping to smuggle goods across borders, leading to price hikes. Security agencies have reportedly busted several smuggling cartels, particularly in Kano, Borno, and Katsina states.
The source also disclosed the discovery of large stores containing hoarded food items, allegedly by major companies under the guise of manufacturing feed and other products. In one instance, a store was found to contain about 50,000 tonnes of grains.
Security agencies have arrested illegal Bureau De Change operators exchanging CFA and naira, allegedly facilitating smuggling operations for these cartels.
