Nigerian Customs Captures Smuggled PMS, Donkey Skin Worth N104.456, 550 in Adamawa

Nigerian Customs Captures smuggled PMS, donkey skin worth N104,456,550 in Adamawa 

From Umar Dankano, Yola.

In its relentless anti-smuggling drive, the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted petroleum motor spirit, PMS worth One Hundred and Four Million, Four Hundred and fifty-six Thousand, Five Hundred and fifty (N104,456,550) naira. 

Comptroller Garba Bature Bashir of the Area Command made the disclosure at a press conference held in Yola yesterday stressing that the seizure marked  another high point in the fight against smuggling activities across the territorial borders of the command.

Bashir said that the smuggled seized items  included; 36,835 Litres of PMS packed in 1,219 Jerry Cans and 24 drums with the capacity of 25, 30, 60 and 200 litres intended to be smuggled into the adjacent country.

Bashir added that, 101 pieces of raw donkey skin packed in seven (7) sacks intended to be smuggled into the neighbouring country noting that the 101 raw donkey skin seized and presented  translated to the killing of 101 live donkeys by the smugglers which contravened schedule six (6) of Common External Tariff as well as section 150 of NCS Act, 2023.

He lamented that if the killing and illegal exportation of this animal and other similar activities go unchecked, these animals will go into extinction. Besides, the exportation of the raw donkey skin (Raw hide/skin).

“We are pleased to report that during the reporting period of four (4) weeks, the Command had another seizure with the monetary value of One Hundred and Four Million, Four Hundred and fifty-six Thousand, Five Hundred and fifty (N104,456,550) naira. 

“These interceptions were made in different dates and locations across – Mubi-Sahuda road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha road, Bakin Kogi, Belel-Farang axis, Gurin-Fufore axis, Apawa-Jalingo axis, Gembu and other places within the Command’s borderlines.

“Accordingly the PMS here on ground will be auction to the general public in  strict adherent to the standard operating procedures as contained in the NCS Act, 2023 as a result of its inflammable nature and the proceed will also be remitted to the federation account immediately”. Bashir declared.

The Comptroller assured that, his Command had already repositioned all its operatives across the frontiers not minding all threats,intimidations, assault and harassment from economic saboteurs vowing to maintain the momentum in the interest of the state.

“We will not relent in this fight against the economic saboteurs until they are suffocated, crippled and thrown out of this illicit business. This fight will be done within the confines of the law and it needs collective efforts of all concern Nigerians.

“We strongly encourage the detractors of economic progress to have a re-think and better go into legitimate businesses because we will continue to go after them as economic saboteurs, as there’s no place for their illegal activities in Adamawa and Taraba states where I superintendent over. 

“The illegal exportation of Nigeria’s PMS and other items to our neighboring countries and illicit movement of goods into the country undermining the nation’s economy and security will no longer be tolerated by Nigeria customs service”. Comptroller Bashir highlighted.