Nigeria launches investigation into "expired rice" smuggled through borders

Nigeria has issued an alert on the smuggling of "expired rice" into the country through some border stations and urged the citizens to be wary of its harmful effects.

The Nigeria Customs service on Tuesday said a probe has been launched to substantiate how the harmful rice were smuggled through land borders near the southwestern state of Lagos, the nation's economic hub.

Comptroller Mamudu Haruna in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service in Ikeja, capital of Lagos State, told reporters that most rice smuggled into the country through Idiroko, Seme, Jibia and other border stations had expired.

According to the official, such harmful rice could damage the human body system.

The West African nation had banned importation of rice through border stations since April.

However, some of the expired rice had been impounded by the Nigeria Customs Service since the ban was ordered.

Haruna said smuggling of rice had become so rampant among the youths who risked their lives on motorcycles, carrying five to six bags each.

The customs official said the only acceptable way acknowledged by Nigerian authorities was importing the food commodity through the seaports. Endit