In a special Press conference in Yola, the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs (CGC), Mr Bashir Adeniyi read riot acts to smugglers of premium motor spirit (PMS) who he described as saboteurs of the Nigerian economy.
CG Adeniyi on Monday at the headquarters of Adamawa and Taraba command of the customs in Yola warned the smugglers and stressed that the PMS is Nigerian goal that Law enforcement agencies can never allow them (smugglers) to convey the products to neighboring countries for illegal business purposes.
He gave a standing order and further warned the smugglers to shun the illegal operations because their activities are destroying the efforts of the current government of economic recovery.
While reading the riot acts to deal with any lawbreaker according to the Law, CG Adeniyi fumed at the behaviors of the smugglers that they are not patriotic Nigerians considering the sufferings people are going through because of the rascal behaviors.
The CG gave a scorecard that the Operation Whildwind of the service in the past week of intensive operations seized a total of 150, 950 litrlitersPMS valued at N106 million at various locations nationwide.
He stated that 75% of the seizures were recorded in Adamawa state border communities.
He said ” 45,000 liters of PMS in a tanker were seized at Muva and Mubi in Adamawa, 2,375 liters of PMS in 95,23 litter jerrycans in Mubi, another 4,45o liters of the same products in 178 25 jerrycans were also intercepted at different locations at Song, Wuroboki, Mubi, Sahuda road and Gidan Madara to Sahuda birder roads, all in Adamawa state.
” Another 20,030 liters of PMS products in 25 and 30 jerricans were also seized at various locations in Illela Sokoto and Agbaragba creeks in Mfum borders of Cross River state “, he stated.
The CGC told a Press parley to review the activities of Operation Whirlwind launched two weeks ago under the auspices of the National Security Adviser to curb the menace of petroleum snuggling in the country.
He added that Nigeria Customs will henceforth ensure strict monitoring of petroleum tankers to make sure that their delivery spots are adhered to.
The Nigerian Customs, according to him will control the proliferation of fuel stations, which creates room and advantages for smugglers to sneak their products out of the shores of the country.
However, the CGC was quick to add that in doing that the services will take cognizance of older communities who use PMS for their farming and other domestic activities.
Mr Bashir Adeniyi disclosed that within the first quarter of this year, Nigeria Custom Services has already raised more than one Trillion naira to the Nation, ‘s coffers as part of its effort to improve the economy.
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