In a move to address food security concerns and alleviate hunger, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Customs Service to return all seized grains to their owners for retailing in Nigerian markets.
The announcement was made by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, during a stakeholder meeting held in Kwangwalam, a border town in the Maiadua Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to Adeniyi, President Tinubu’s directive aims to ensure that Nigerians have access to affordable food items. However, the return of confiscated food items is conditional upon their sale within Nigerian markets.
“We have over 120 trucks of food items for export seized,” Adeniyi stated, highlighting the impact of the exportation on domestic food availability and prices. “By restocking our markets, we hope to alleviate the pressure on food prices.”
The initiative has been hailed as a strategy to promote food security in the country and mitigate the challenges of hunger. As part of his engagements, the CGC also visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura and received the traditional title of Mabudin Hausa from the Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Farouq Umar, in recognition of his contributions.