Customs intercept smuggled petroleum products worth N33.9m in Adamawa

Customs intercept smuggled petroleum products worth N33.9M in Adamawa

From Umar Dankano, Yola.

The Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a significant seizures of petroleum products with aggregate duty paid value (DPV) of thirty-three million, nine hundred and ninety-four thousand, nine hundred naira, zero kobo only (N33,994,900) in Adamawa and Taraba states.

Area Controller of the Command (Adamawa/Taraba), Comptroller Garba Bashir Bature disclosed the success story at a press conference in Yola, Monday stressing that operatives of the command acting on credible intelligence reports which translated to several numbers of seizures recorded hitherto.

Comptroller Bature announced that,the 
seized items included; 36,435 Litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), AGO packed  in 1,194 Jerry Cans plus 2 drums of PMS, and 115 Jerry Cans of AGO with capacity of 25L, 30L and 220L

While assuring the public of continuous defeat over activities of unrepentant and harden smugglers through coordinated border management and leveraging technology,Bature stated that, seizures were made at  various flashpoints on different dates and time especially in Likitatba-Gembu axis, Mubi-Sahuda axis, Malabu-Belel axis, Girei-Wuro Bokki axis, Ganye-Toungo axis and Damare/Gurin-Fufore axis, all at the frontiers of Adamawa and Taraba states. 

He added that,all seized items were intended to be smuggled out of the country. Owing to the rugged topography of the operational areas, his Command’s officers were still on their way to the Command Headquarters, Yola with some of these seized PMS from Gembu. 

“it is interesting to note that, the Operatives of Adamawa/Taraba Area Command had recorded twenty-eight (28) instances of seizures within the period of three weeks with aggregate Duty Paid Value (DPV) of thirty-three million, nine hundred and ninety-four thousand, nine hundred naira, zero kobo only (N33,994,900). 

“The primary driver of our anti-smuggling campaign is to reinforce national security at our borders and safeguard domestic industries. This is to prevent the influx of goods harmful to our health, the economy and border security. This could be achieved by disallowing the smugglers from having fresh air and truncating their supply chains within the confines of the law. 

“These seized Petroleum Products will be auctioned to the general public immediately after this briefing in accordance with the standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the NCS Act 2023. The proceed will be remitted to the Federation account accordingly.

“Let me inform you that no attack will not deter us from discharging our statutory duties. Smugglers are warned and advised to stay clear from such dastardly act else they will face the full weight of the law. We mean it and we are standing by it neck to neck, ensuring that the smugglers will not enjoy fresh air here in Adamawa and Taraba States

“Legitimate stakeholders in the petroleum marketing sectors and supply chain managers are encouraged to go on with their routine operations, assured of protection against intimidation and illicit confiscation. 

“Esteemed Members of the Press, let me state unequivocally that, the Command is fully equipped with all logistics provided by the management of the Service under the able leadership of Adewale Adeniyi MFR, dsm, fnipr PSC (+) in discharging its statutory duties effectively”. Comptroller Bature declared.