The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has intensified its efforts to curtail the activities of food smugglers and hoarders. The agency has ramped up its presence at land and sea borders to support the Federal Government’s drive to stabilize food prices and ensure food security across Nigeria.
In a statement released on Monday, NAQS emphasized its commitment to regulating the handling of agricultural products in the country. The agency aims to guarantee the safety of consumable goods and to make them readily available at fair prices to the Nigerian populace.
The crackdown on agricultural commodity smuggling and hoarding aligns with the agency’s mandate and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration. NAQS is devoted to fortifying the nation’s borders and combating the smuggling and hoarding of agricultural commodities, ultimately increasing food availability for the Nigerian people.
Established in 2017, NAQS plays a crucial role in preventing the entry, establishment, and spread of foreign pests and diseases that could affect Nigeria’s plant, animal, and aquatic resources and products.
To enforce its crackdown, NAQS has deployed additional officers to various entry and exit points. These officers are diligently conducting inspections and surveillance to prevent the illegal export of agricultural commodities.
Dr. Godwin Audu, the acting Comptroller-General of NAQS, has urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to the hoarding or smuggling of agricultural commodities.
This intensified effort to combat food smuggling and hoarding comes on the heels of the Nigeria Customs Service’s successful interception of 15 fully loaded trailers attempting to transport food items out of the country through the Sokoto State border. The intercepted goods were subsequently returned to Nigeria as part of measures to stabilize food prices nationwide, in line with the Federal Government’s mandate.
This resolute action taken by NAQS underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring food security and fair pricing for agricultural commodities, sending a strong message to potential offenders while safeguarding the interests of the Nigerian people.
