By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The rising cost of food items, including rice at the markets in Nigeria, is the handiwork of smugglers, the federal government claimed.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said this in a recent interview.
She said these smugglers were frustrating the noble efforts of the government to make life more meaningful for citizens of the country.
But she noted that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will not relent in bringing succour to the people of Nigeria.
Mrs Ahmed, who described the smugglers as unpatriotic Nigerians, said some of the food items brought into the country are not good for human consumption.
The Minister stated that smuggling activities were adversely affecting the economy, stressing that efforts would be intensified to tackle the issue.
According to her, the various security agencies, including the Department for State Service (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and others are working together to curb smuggling in the country.
