The Nigeria Customs Service has explained that it gave bandits in Katsina State some bags of rice, so they would not interfere in its anti-smuggling activities.
The Sector 4 Command of the Joint Border Patrol Team in the North West reportedly offered seven bags of 50kg rice to the criminals operating in Dutsinma Local Council of the state.
During a press briefing at the state capital on Tuesday, coordinator of the sector, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed, said the action was to save the lives of NCS personnel after their resolve to comb the bush where the bandits were taking shelter, which is the route smugglers use to ferry in contraband.
Mohammed, however, added that the sector had been able to record some successes in tackling smuggling activities in the state.
The sector, according to him, has from February 1 till the time of the briefing, intercepted contraband with a Duty Paid Value of N304,325,850.90 in the state.
He said during the same period, four suspected smugglers were arrested.
Seizures made include 624 units of expired flavours in 84 cartons and 80 other items.
He called on the general public to support the sector in its effort at tackling smuggling across the North West.
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