By Umar Dankano Yola.
The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 1,548 Jerry cans of twenty five litres each totally 38,700 litres of premium motor spirit PMS known as Petrol intended to be smuggled out of the country in Adamawa state.
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National Coordinator of the Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs,D.C Abubakar Lucky Aliyu disclosed the development at a press conference in Yola on Wednesday stressing that the seizure of the Petroleum product were carried out through intelligence driven operation s by the operatives of the customs across key smuggling flashpoints in Zone D’ axis of the state (Adamawa).
“1,548 Jerry cans (25 liters each) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totaling38,700 liters intended to be smuggled out of the country alongside one vehicle used for transporting the concealed fuel were seized following actionable intelligence regarding illegal smuggling activities along the border corridors
He announced that the seizures were carried out more than six weeks ago in Malabu-Belel, Girei-Wuro Bokki, Gurin-Fufore, Wuro Alhaji-Maiha, and Mubi-Sahuda axes in the state.
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“Following intelligence driven operations over the past six (6) weeks, our operatives achieved a significant breakthrough across key smuggling flashpoints including the Malabu-Belel, Girei-Wuro Bokki, Gurin-Fufore, Wuro Alhaji-Maiha, and Mubi-Sahuda axes”
DC Aliyu said that the aggregate duty paid value (DPV) of the seized products including the seized vehicle as means of convenience stood at N63,115,000 only and that, Operation Whirlwind remains steadfast in suppressing smuggling and illegal trade,protecting the national economy, and safeguarding public safety.
“The aggregate Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized Product and the means of conveyance stands at Sixty-Three Million, One Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Naira (N63,115,000) only”.
According to him, one vehicle allegedly used to convey the petroleum products was also intercepted during the operations noting that the seized Petroleum product will auction out to the public immediately due its inflammatory nature.
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Aliyu warned that the smuggling and diversion of petroleum products could undermine efforts to maintain adequate domestic supply, particularly during periods of energy distribution challenges.
He stressed that petroleum products intended for the Nigerian market should not be illegally diverted across the country’s borders, noting that such activities could have adverse implications for the economy.
