By Pascal Ibe
There has been claims on social media that the Nigeria Customs is demanding 10,000 and and the National Identification Number (NiN) , before letting out food items to the beneficiaries in Lagos State.
As at 4pm on Friday evening, the trend is third on the X platform trending list, with more than 5,000 posts.
Recall that last week , the Nigeria Customs Service with approval from the Federal government said it will direct disposal of food items seized from smugglers, to ease the hardship on Nigerian.
In a short video obtained by CrimeFacts.news which was posted by Nigerian Stories on X platform on Friday, women were seen carrying bags of rice each,with an inscription of FGN/Customs on it.
The video on Nigerian Stories has gained over 843k views, 2,434 reposts , 7,434 likes and 742 quotes on Friday.
When the video was checked on Deepware Technology, no deep fake was detected.
A verified Username on X, JUST KINGS wrote, ” I heard some people got a bag of rice with just NIN and 10k , now the same people are selling the rice to other people for 50k. ”
“We are our own problem in this country.”
https://twitter.com/JustKingss/status/1761052445088587968?t=fE9VjeoWLgbSxoIfGTdkKg&s=19
Another X user named Markie wrote, “I’m here with my NIN and 10k but I’m not in Lagos coz I’m serving my fatherland”
https://twitter.com/Just_Oma_/status/1761055049977831467?t=wKVd0taw7_X8SxrCSbT3cg&s=19
FINDINGS
In a telephone chat with CrimeFacts .news on Friday, the Nigerian Customs Spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, told our reporter that the demand of 10,000 from Nigerians to distribute food items is a normal auction price which will go to the federal government account and not to pockets of the officers involved.
Maiwada stated that the bags of Rice were placed at 10,000 in order to ease the hardship of many Nigerians.
The Customs Service Spokesperson said that money realize in this exercise will go to the federal government.
Listen to recorded Telephone call note below:👇
ALSO, speaking at the flag-off of the rice disbursement program in Lagos on Thursday, February 22, 2024, CGC Adeniyi emphasized that the distribution of rice would be targeted at areas of customs operations, ensuring direct access to beneficiaries.
CGC Adeniyi stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the distribution process, urging Nigerians participating in the exercise to refrain from selling the rice in markets or hoarding it for purposes other than domestic consumption.
Speaking further, the CGC said the NCS secured approval from the government to dispose of the seized food items to needy Nigerians at discounted prices after satisfying the verification process of presenting the National Identification Number (NIN).
He emphasized, “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.”
He however, emphasized that the initiative’s primary objective is to provide essential food items to those in need, in line with the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enhancing its social welfare responsibility programs.
“It is imperative that beneficiaries of this exercise understand that the items are not to be resold. We take a strong stance against any form of profiteering or exploitation of this initiative. We urge Nigerians to report any incidents of misuse or unauthorized resale of the seized food items.” the CGC said.
VERDICT: The claims by X users (formally Twitter) of Nigerian Customs demanding 10,000 from Nigerians, is misleading BUT as an auction price, iit s TRUE.
