Economy

Hike In Food Price: We’ve Uncovered 32 Routes Where Food Is Smuggled Out Of Nigeria – FG

ByKazeem Badmus

PublishedFebruary 20, 2024

Amidst the high cost of food, the Federal Government said it has uncovered 32 routes through which food items are smuggled out of the country.

Vice President, Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking at a conference on Public Wealth Management held in Abuja.

According to Shettima, 45 trucks loaded with maize were intercepted, while making their way to neighbouring countries at midnight on Sunday.

He said, “Just three nights ago, 45 trucks of maize were caught being transported to neighbouring countries. Just on that Ilela axis, there are 32 illegal smuggling routes. And the moment those foodstuffs were intercepted, the price of maize came down by N10,000. It came down from N60,000 to N50,000.

“So, there are forces that are hell-bent on undermining our nation, but this is the time for us to coalesce into a singular entity.”

Acknowledging that Nigeria is passing through a turbulent time, Shettima assured the people of the country that the pain will not last forever.

“We have to make this country work. We have to move beyond politics. We are now in the face of governance. Sadly, some of our countrymen are still in political mode. They are the practitioners of violence, advocating that Nigeria should go the Lebanon way. But, Nigeria is greater than any of us here. Nigeria will weather the storm.

“Forces are hell-bent on plunging this country into a state of anarchy. Those who could not get to power through the ballot box, instead of waiting till 2027, are so desperate,” he added.

Kazeem Badmus

Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.