The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has reportedly stopped its rice distribution program in Lagos indefinitely.
The Customs service had last week unveiled plans to distribute seized food items to Nigerians. The move was aimed at reducing the frustrations of Nigerians as they continued to result in protest to air their grievances towards the country’s deteriorating economy.
Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), launched the programme in Lagos State on Thursday and asked different groups of people to come forward with their national identification numbers (NINs) to access the intervention.
“The target groups include artisans, teachers, nurses, religious bodies, and other Nigerians within our operational areas. The intention is to reach out directly to members through these organized structures to ensure the maximum impact of this exercise,” said Adeniyi.
FIJ visited the Zone A Headquarters of the NCS located along Harvey Road, Yaba, on Saturday and found that the process had been suspended.
Dozens of people lurked around, while rifle-bearing officers occupied important spots in and outside the large facility.
This reporter approached one of the people gathered in clusters, discussing their experiences and frustrations about the current economic situation at the facility. She simply identified herself as Iya Abiodun.
“I got here around 8:30 am, hoping to also get a bag. But I learned they are not giving it out again. I couldn’t get it yesterday because they were collecting N10,000 per bag. When they stopped collecting money and started giving people free of charge, it became tragically clumsy,” Iya Abiodun said.
FIJ learned from some of the prospective beneficiaries that some people collected rice before dawn this morning.
Our reporter asked an officer why the exercise was suspended, but he could not give any reason.
“I don’t know why it was suspended. But it is until further notice,” he said.
As of press time, the NCS had not made any statement on the suspension of the distribution. It could also not confirm if the process had been stopped in other locations.
The reported suspension follows reports that some Lagosians died in a stampede while trying to gain access to the venue where the rice distribution program was held on Friday.
