Nigeria customs to distribute seized food amid crisis

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) plans to distribute seized food items in stores around the country to tackle the current challenges of food security amid protests in at least five states.

The customs service said unspecified tonnes of rice, groundnut oil, noodles and other commodities will be certified as fit for consumption by relevant agencies before being made available to ordinary Nigerians.

Abdullahi Maiwada, a spokesperson for the NCS, promised an equitable and transparent process to ensure the food reaches those most in need.

The service said it had also launched an anti-smuggling operation and public engagement "to prevent the unlawful exportation of vital food resources".

This move comes as protests have erupted across Nigeria because of the high rate of inflation, driven largely by high food prices and the government's decision to end a long-running fuel subsidy.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has warned that Nigeria could experience social unrest due to the high cost of living.