Abuja Trader Arrested For Repackaging Local Rice Into Foreign Rice Bags ‘To Make Excess Profits’
Nonso Nwobodo, aged 39, has been apprehended by officers of the Nigerian Police Force in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on allegations of repackaging locally produced rice and labeling it as foreign rice in a deceptive bid to increase profits.
The trader was caught engaging in this fraudulent activity on Saturday around 4:15 pm in the Durumi area of the FCT, specifically at Plot 740 Centenary Credentials.
A reliable government source confirmed the incident to reporters, revealing that Nonso was discovered repackaging locally sourced rice into bags designed to mimic foreign rice packaging. This deceptive practice was aimed at deceiving consumers into believing that the rice was imported. As a result of the operation, authorities seized a total of 160 bags of rice, ranging in size from 5kg to 50kg, as evidence.
The source further disclosed, “Nonso Nwobodo was re-packaging local rice into differently designed bags resembling foreign rice bags with the intention to sell them as imported rice. He was apprehended with 160 bags of rice of various sizes, already re-bagged to resemble foreign rice. Additionally, 53 empty bags of local rice, which had already been re-packaged into foreign bags, were recovered. Furthermore, 590 new empty foreign rice bags, awaiting filling, were found at the scene. The police have confiscated the rice.”
The deceptive act perpetrated by Nonso Nwobodo not only violates consumer trust but also poses significant risks to public health and safety. The authorities are taking necessary actions to address such fraudulent practices and ensure the integrity of the market.
