Customs intercept smuggled petroleum products worth N33.9m in Adamawa
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded significant seizures of petroleum products with an aggregate Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N33,994,900 in Adamawa and Taraba states.
The Area Controller of the Adamawa/Taraba Command, Comptroller Garba Bashir Bature, disclosed this at a press conference in Yola on Monday. He said the seizures were made by operatives of the command acting on credible intelligence reports, which led to multiple interceptions in recent weeks.
According to him, the seized items included 36,435 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) packed in 1,194 jerry cans, plus two drums of PMS, and 115 jerry cans of AGO with capacities ranging from 25 litres to 220 litres.
Bature explained that the interceptions were made at various smuggling flashpoints on different dates and times, particularly along the 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 the seized products were intended to be smuggled out of the country. Due to the rugged terrain of some operational areas, some of the seized PMS from Gembu were still being transported to the Command’s headquarters in Yola as of the time of the briefing.
“It is interesting to note that the operatives of the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command recorded 28 seizures within a period of three weeks, with a total DPV of N33,994,900,” Bature said.
He stressed that the primary objective of the anti-smuggling campaign was to reinforce national security, protect domestic industries, and prevent the influx of goods harmful to public health, the economy, and border security.
The Customs boss revealed that the seized petroleum products would be auctioned to the public immediately after the briefing, in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the NCS Act, 2023, with proceeds remitted to the Federation Account.
Bature warned smugglers to desist from their activities or face the full weight of the law.
“No attack will deter us from discharging our statutory duties. We are determined to ensure that smugglers will not enjoy fresh air here in Adamawa and Taraba states,” he declared.
He assured legitimate stakeholders in the petroleum marketing sector and supply chain managers of full protection against intimidation and unlawful confiscation.
Bature commended the leadership of the NCS under Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for equipping the command with the necessary logistics to effectively carry out its mandate.
