Sola Richards
No fewer than 150,950 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), worth over N100 million, were confirmed to have been intercepted across Adamawa State by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in the last week.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, made the announcement on Monday in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, during an interactive session with journalists.
Adeniyi stressed that the NCS is determined to cripple smuggling activities in the state and the country at large, warning those profiting from the trade to desist from such acts.
Adeniyi stated, “It is not going to be business as usual for smugglers again. A total of 150,950 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at over N100 million, was intercepted in one week.”
The seized PMS products, otherwise known as petrol, which according to the customs boss, were packed mostly in 25kg jerry cans and two tankers, will be auctioned to the public.
Reeling out how the service has been working with relevant agencies to ensure that products are delivered to their destinations, he applauded the collaborative efforts of sister security agencies for the success recorded so far.
Sending a strong warning to smugglers and those considering venturing into the trade, he stated that the service would leave no stone unturned to end or reduce smuggling activities to the barest minimum.
“We are guided by credible intelligence and empowered by the new Customs Act 2023. Our operations target illegal exports, particularly petroleum products, ensuring the availability of the product to all Nigerians,” he stated.
Supporting the customs boss, the Executive Director of the Nigeria National Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ogbugo Ukoha, said efforts are being put in place to ensure the product is available to Nigerians.
NMDPRA, as announced by him, has ordered that any tanker seen around any border area should be seized, adding, “We are working with relevant security agencies to ensure that products are delivered to their destinations.”
