Addressing the critical issues of food security and the rising costs of essential food items in Nigeria, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has unveiled proactive measures to mitigate these challenges and advance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food security agenda.

The commitment to tackle food security concerns underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) core mandate of serving the best interests of the Nigerian people and contributing to economic stability and prosperity.

In a strategic move, the NCS has launched an anti-smuggling operation and public engagement campaign to curb the unlawful exportation of vital food resources. The aim is to prevent the exploitation of these resources for individual economic gains, ensuring their availability within the nation and mitigating the adverse effects of scarcity on citizens.

To further alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and enhance access to essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service will facilitate the direct disposal of forfeited food items to the Federal Government. Rigorous certification processes by relevant agencies will ensure the fitness for consumption of these items, which will then be distributed equitably to ordinary Nigerians nationwide through the NCS Areas of Operations.

The modalities for the disposal process will be communicated through NCS formations across the country, emphasizing transparency, fairness, and public safety. Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer for the Comptroller General of Customs, assured the public that this exercise will be conducted diligently to ensure that the benefits reach those who need them the most.

Maiwada emphasized the NCS’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s food security and advancing the economic well-being of all Nigerians. With the support and cooperation of the public, the NCS aims to overcome these challenges and contribute to a more prosperous future for the nation.