Troops Arrest Rice Smugglers, Hand Over 139 Bags of Smuggled Rice to Customs in Kwara

Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Nigerian Army, have intercepted two vehicles carrying a total of 139 bags of smuggled foreign rice along the Shao-Jebba Expressway in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The vehicles, an ash-colored Mazda Saloon car with registration number LNR 465 AL and a wine-colored Premacy car with registration number RA 264 AA, were apprehended during an operation aimed at curbing smuggling activities in the region.

Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 22 Armoured Brigade, revealed that during preliminary investigations, the drivers of the intercepted vehicles were headed to an undisclosed destination.

Their apprehension occurred at a checkpoint strategically set up by vigilant troops to curb the activities of criminal elements in the area.

The Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Major General Oluwafemi Williams, has officially handed over the intercepted vehicles and their contents to Comptroller Faith Mathew Ojeifo of the Nigerian Customs Service, Kwara Area Command, for further investigation and necessary action.

According to the statement, the Commander noted that his action aligns with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede’s Command Philosophy, which is: “To consolidate the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.”

Comptroller Ojeifo, while receiving the seized smuggled items, expressed his deep appreciation to the Army for the strong synergy and collaboration between the Brigade and his command. He emphasized that this partnership has contributed significantly to operational success within the state and its surrounding areas.