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Customs in Adamawa uncovers 85 drums, 795 Jerry cans of PMS in Nigeria-Cameroon’s border

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Customs in Adamawa uncovers 85 drums, 795 Jerry cans of PMS in Nigeria-Cameroon’s border

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The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigerian customs Services (NCS) has on Saturday 29th June, 2024 at about 2310hrs through share intelligence of the command stormed the bank of River Benue along Ribaddo-Farkumo axis and uncovered eighty-five (85×25L) drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at the shore of the River where the smugglers had made all necessary arrangements to ferry the Product to the Republic of Cameroon illegally.

Comptroller Garba Bature Bashir during a press conference in Yola intimated media men that the command’s anti smuggling operations unit has yielded positive results by swift intervention of the Officers and also uncovered the illicit trade arrangements of what he described as economic saboteurs.

According to him his men have averted while the smugglers on sighting the them took to their heels and abandoned the 85 drums of the PMS. And in the same vein, seven hundred and ninety- five (795×25L) Jerry Cans of PMS were unearthed in a bush path at Sahuda, Nigera- Cameroon border in the early hours of Saturday, 6″ July, 2024.

He briefed the media men that the NCS in Adamawa/Taraba combating smuggling and unlawful trade practices along the command’s borderlines in furtherance of their core mandate that ranges from Revenue generation, trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling inter alia as stipulated in section 4 of NCS Act 2023, the Command has repositioned all machineries across its area of operation in collaboration with other sister agencies for effective border management.

Baature While stressing that the Nigeria Customs Service is focused on growing economy by improving trade facilitation in the country according to the global best practice.He said the Command Operatives have made a significant impact through their unwavering and collaborative efforts, with multiple seizures recorded.

“Still on the anti-smuggling drive of the command, a Carina E with a hidden compartment loaded with PMS was intercepted following credible information along Girei-Wuro Boki axis on Saturday, 6” July, 2024 at about 1100hrs and other numerous records o f successful operations across the Command’s frontiers.

“We remain committed to sustaining this momentum. This PMS wil be auctioned as soon as possible after this briefing due ot its inflammable nature in line with the standard operating procedure and the accrued proceeds will be remitted into the Federation account ni like fashion, as we had with a fraction of it.” Bature said

He further explained that:” The Command recorded seventeen (17) cases of seizures of various items during the period under consideration (6 weeks after the last press briefing) with aggregate Duty Paid Value (DPV) of thirty-six million, nine hundred and fifty-two thousand, three hundred and forty-two naira fifty kobo only (N36,952,342.50). The seized goods comprise the following:

“43,935Litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)packed in 1,071 x25L Jerry Cans and 85 x 200L drums, one used Tricycle, one used Motorcycle and, Two used vehicles with one having a hidden compartment, the means of conveyance of some of the seized PMS.”

He worried that the continued demand of the PMS product spite subsidy repeal, smuggling from Nigeria into the neighbouring countries still flourishes and the strong demand is due to steeper prices in adjacent countries such as Cameroon, Niger and Benin Republic.

“This continued demand creates a lucrative market for illegal exports of this product to these countries by selfish Nigerians to fill the supply gaps for personal gain.

“The fuel smuggling cartels are remarkably resilient and well-resourced, robust intelligence gathering and distribution channels, driven by lucrative illegal profits.

“These economic saboteurs are prepared to do whatever it takes to maintain their hold. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service, most especially Adamawa/Taraba Area Command has been diligently reviewing and strengthening its robust measures to combat this illicit trade. We want to make it clear to the smugglers that we will counter every move they make and we wil not relent ni this anti-smuggling crusade until we bring smuggling activities to ground zero in Adamawa and Taraba States.

“To the general public, we urge you to support our efforts and report any suspicious activities timely as this fight is not one-man business. Together we can combat smuggling and promote economic growth.” Bature Said

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