Nigeria Customs Intercepts Bags of Plastic Rice

It all started like a joke on social media, now it’s getting scary.
Fears raised in several online videos about people importing plastic rice into Nigeria has been confirmed today as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced the interception of 102 bags of the plastic rice branded “Beat Tomato Rice’’ with no date of manufacture.
The feat was accomplished by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Ikeja, of NCS.
The Customs Area Controller of FOU, Comptroller Mohammed Haruna, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) today.
He said that the commodity was stored for distribution as Yuletide gifts for the public.
According to Haruna, officers of the unit intercepted the plastic rice along Ikeja area on Monday. One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.
“Before now, I thought it was a rumour that the plastic rice is all over the country but with this seizure, I have been totally convinced that such rice exists,” Haruna said. “We have done the preliminary analysis on the plastic rice. After boiling, it was sticky and only God knows what would have happened if people consumed it.
“I advise those economic saboteurs who see yuletide season as a peak period for nefarious acts to desist from such illegal business.
“The unit has decided other operational modalities that will make them run for their monies and count their losses.”
He described smuggling as a global phenomenon, adding that such act could not be curbed entirely but could be brought to its barest minimum.
Haruna appreciated well-meaning Nigerians who provided the service with prompt information that led to the discovery of the bags of plastic rice.
The controller urged the media to educate the public on the existence of plastic food, because it is no longer a rumour.