Zamfara State Transport Agency has reportedly intercepted 50 trucks loaded with assorted grains attempting to transport foodstuffs to the Niger Republic.
The interception took place near the Nigerian borders with Niger Republic, specifically in Gidan Jaja village.
According to Shehu Sani, an indigene of Zurmi town in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state, the trucks were stopped by the Zamfara State Transport Agency.
Sale Shinkafi, the spokesman for Zamfara State Transport Agency (ZARTO), confirmed the interception and explained that the trucks were not allowed to proceed to Niger Republic.
Instead, the agency directed the owners to return to their respective localities and sell the commodities at affordable prices within Nigeria.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu recently instructed state governors to take measures to address the food crisis and hoarding in the country.
Officials say it is part of broader efforts to address challenges in the agricultural sector, particularly in the face of the fuel subsidy removal and its impact on transportation costs, as well as the security issues affecting farmers in various regions.
Recently, there has been increased scrutiny on the transportation and movement of food items to prevent smuggling and ensure that the available food resources are accessible to the Nigerian populace.
