The decision to intervene came after President Bola Tinubu issued a directive last Thursday, instructing key officials such as National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Director-General of the Department of State Services Yusuf Bichi to collaborate with state governors in tackling the issue of food hoarding.

Residents, like Shehu Sani from Zurmi town in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara state, reported the interception of the fifty trucks at Gidan Jaja village near the Nigerian border with Niger Republic.

ZARTO spokesperson, Sale Shinkafi, confirmed the incident, stating that the trucks were allegedly attempting to transport the food items across the border. He emphasized that the agency's primary goal is to prevent the smuggling of essential goods out of the country.

"Our men intercepted 50 vehicles loaded with assorted grains while trying to smuggle them out of the country. We directed the owners to go back and sell the commodities to Nigerians at the appropriate prices," Shinkafi explained.

Importantly, Shinkafi clarified that the agency did not accompany the trucks but instructed them to return to their local areas and sell the goods at reasonable prices within Nigeria. The move aligns with the government's efforts to ensure fair distribution and availability of essential food items amid growing concerns about food shortages.