On Tuesday, the Nigerian Customs Services authorities announced that the prices of food items would significantly decrease soon,Daily Trust reports.
Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Services, made this statement at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja after a strategic meeting convened by Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa. The meeting included heads of various agencies.
According to Daily Trust, thousands of Nigerians began a nationwide protest on August 1, demanding that the government address the high cost of food and rising inflation.
ALSO READ: Hurricane Debby hits U.S., knocks out power in Florida
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Adeniyi said that some imported food items were already in the country and would be cleared without duties and taxes to reduce their prices.
“The protest was based on several issues, including ending hunger. We found that a significant amount of food consumed in Nigeria is imported,” Adeniyi said. “To mitigate the cost of importation, the president has suspended customs duties and taxes on imported food items for a time. We believe this will help lower food prices in the markets. Nigerian Customs is committed to implementing this fiscal policy as outlined by the government.”
Adeniyi emphasized the need to consider all stakeholders’ interests before implementing the policy and urged Nigerians to be patient.
“There is a need to balance the long-term interests of Nigerian farmers and stakeholders involved in production with the short-term goal of reducing food inflation,” he explained. “The Ministry of Finance is finalizing the guidelines, and within the next week, Nigerian Customs will begin implementing these fiscal policies. I urge Nigerians to be patient, as the imported items already at our shores will be cleared without customs duties and taxes.”
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun also addressed the situation, noting that while tension had eased in some states following the president’s address, subversive campaigns had emerged in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Bauchi.
“In the last 5-6 days, our country has faced violent protests in some states. After the president’s address, tension decreased, and peaceful protesters heeded his call for dialogue,” Egbetokun said. “However, in states like Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and Bauchi, groups have started subversive campaigns, waving foreign flags and calling for a military takeover.”
He warned youths against accepting foreign flags from destabilizing agents and stated that those arrested for such actions would face consequences.
“This is not a protest but an offense of treasonable felony. The Police have arrested several individuals, and they will be dealt with accordingly. I urge our youth to reject foreign flags from destabilizing agents. It is very serious for them to be seen with foreign flags while protesting. The situation is under control, and we believe that after this press conference, the misguided elements and their sponsors will stop these acts of treason,” Egbetokun said.
