Customs closes gate to stop Oyo govt from returning 1,800 bags of rice

The imbroglio between the Oyo State government and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over the 1,800 bags of rice continued on Wednesday with the Oyo/Osun command closing its gate and refusing the state government access into its Ibadan premises to return the bags of rice.

Keeping to its word to return the rice deemed infested and unfit for consumption, the Oyo State government had loaded the bags in two trucks and driven to the Oyo/Osun command headquarters of the NCS only to meet closed gates manned by men of the service.

Speaking at the gate after being denied entry, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Jacob Ojemuyiwa, said the state had earlier written a letter to the Customs Service to notify it of its intention to return the “infested” rice.

While expressing shock at the Customs barring the trucks from being driven in, Ojemuyiwa said the state executive council would determine the next steps to take on the matter.

For some hours, Tribune Online saw that the trucks of rice remained outside while the drivers and loaders said they awaited further directive from the state government’s officials on whether the trucks would be left at the Customs entrance, driven back to the state secretariat or taken to another place.

Speaking with Tribune Online, Public Relations Officer, Oyo/Osun command of the Customs Service, Abdullahi-Lagos Abiola, said the command was yet to get any directive from the Customs headquarters to receive the bags of rice.

He pointed out that the Customs service had not officially received the rice from the Oyo State government, adding that the state government left the trucks outside their gate at its own risk.

“There is no official letter asking us to receive the rice. When we gave out the rice, we had an official letter directing us from the headquarters.

“How do we receive alleged spoilt rice when we do not have such letter from the headquarters? We await directive from the headquarters whether to receive to not.

“They have not handed over to us, so the rice is outside there at their own risk,” Abdullahi-Lagos said.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Buy and read digital replicas of your TRIBUNE titles by subscribing through E-VENDING

Islamic Teacher Who Keeps Over 500 Almajiri Girls And Boys Together Inside Mud House Arrested
An Islamic teacher who allegedly keeps over 500 boys and girls as almajiri in Zaria, Kaduna State, has been arrested and is currently being interrogated by the police. This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Human Development and Social Services, Hajiya Hafsat Baba, while speaking with newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday… Read full story

COVID-19: First Set Of Nigerians Abroad To Be Evacuated On Monday ― Foreign Affairs Minister
After several weeks of disappointment, the first set of Nigerians abroad anxious to return to the country would be evacuated by next Monday. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama made the disclosure on Tuesday at the weekly PTF briefing on COVID-19… Read full story

IG Orders Deployment Of Four CPs To Adamawa, Imo, Plateau, Abuja
The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the posting of four Commissioners of Police (CPs) to states and police formation. The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja… Read full story

COVID-19: Sokoto Records Three Deaths As Cases Hit 19
Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal has announced that three persons have died in the state as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). The governor also disclosed that nine persons who had contact with the second confirmed COVID-19 patient in the state have also tested positive… Read full story

Constitution Review: How Far With NASS Ad Hoc Committee?
The ninth National Assembly has elected to undertake a review of the 1999 Constitution (as ammended) with a view to aligning its various provisions to contemporary political and economical concerns observed by Nigerians from all walks of life. As at the last count, there were over 40 bills seeking alteration of various sections of the constitution… Read full story