The Federal Government has revealed the existence of 32 smuggling routes used for transporting food items out of Nigeria.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made the discovery known during a conference on Public Wealth Management held in Abuja.
Shettima stated that on Sunday midnight, 45 trucks loaded with maize were intercepted while en route to neighboring countries.
Despite acknowledging that Nigeria is currently facing turbulent times, Shettima assured the citizens that the pain is temporary and will not endure forever.
However, he strongly condemned any situation where individuals ignite division and violence due to the present circumstances.
He said:
“Just three nights ago, 45 trucks of maize were caught being transported to neighbouring countries. Just in that Ilela axis, there are 32 illegal smuggling routes.
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“And the moment those food stuff were intercepted, the price of maize came down by N10,000. It came down from N60,000 to N50,000.
“So, there are forces that are hell-bent on undermining our nation but this is the time for us to coalesce into a singular entity.
“We have to make this country work. We have to move beyond politics. We are now in the face of governance. Sadly, some of our countrymen are still in the political mode.
“They are the practitioners of violence, advocating that Nigeria should go the Lebanon way. But, Nigeria is greater than anyone of us here. Nigeria will weather the storm.
“Forces are hell-bent on plunging this country into a state of anarchy. Those who could not get to power through the ballot box, instead for them to wait till 2027, are so desperate.”
