Customs Records Successes in Anti-Smuggling Operations, Intercepts 12,435 Litres of PMS

Customs Records Successes in Anti-Smuggling Operations, Intercepts 12,435 Litres of PMS

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Comptroller Bature Bashir, has reeled out the anti-smuggling operations successes recorded since he took over the Command’s leadership late in April 2024.

He made this known during a press conference held on Friday, 10 May 2024, at the Command Headquarters in Yola, Adamawa state.

Comptroller Bashir stated that the seized items include 12,435 Litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) packed in 491x25L and 8 x 20L Jerry Cans, one used Mitsubishi truck and one used Motor Cycle while emphasising the need to auction the confiscated items almost immediately because of their flammable nature and following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), as enshrined in section 119 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

“The seizure of these items is in line with sections 150 and 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 because the Command’s territorial borders are officially closed. However, due to the flammable nature of the PMS, they will be auctioned immediately after this briefing in accordance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) and as enshrined in section 119 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the proceeds accrued remitted into the Federation Account accordingly,” he held.

The CAC further reiterated the adverse effects of smuggling activities, which had done more harm than good to Nigeria. It hinders national growth and strangles trade policies, which cuts across revenue, foreign investment, preservation of domestic trade and development, food security, and public security, to mention but a few.

“We want to unwaveringly tell the smugglers that our operatives are strategically repositioned along the borderlines to fasten their exit out of this illicit business. We advise you to renounce economic sabotage and illegitimate trade into and out of the Command’s territorial borders and adopt genuine business as the Command operatives will not rest on their paddles until we stamp out smuggling across all the command borders,” he cautioned.

The CAC solicited the partnership of the border Communities and patriotic Nigerians in providing timely intelligence that can support the Command’s operations in getting rid of the economic menace from the nation as well as cautioning the transporters and oil marketers to be watchful and nationalistic to repudiate these smugglers of any supply chain opportunities. He equally admonished media practitioners to increase their awareness campaign in educating the general public on the dangers and negative impacts of smuggling on the nation’s socio-economic development.

“To the border Communities and the patriotic Nigerians, we solicit your partnership in providing timely intelligence that can aid our operations in getting rid of this economic scourge from our nation. To the transporters and oil marketers, be vigilant and patriotic to deny these smugglers a supply chain. And to the media personnel, please do increase awareness campaign to educate the general public on the dangers and negative impacts of smuggling on our socio-economic development,” he implored.

Comptroller Bashir attributed the tremendous achievements recorded so far to the steadfast support and reassurance of the management of the Nigeria Customs Service under the firm leadership of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), who has continued to give all the required backing and supply chain for the Command’s smooth anti-smuggling operations while wholeheartedly appreciating his unrelenting drive for the Service development. He also acknowledged the cooperation prowess of all the Customs Units, which consist of the CIU, FOU, SIS, Valuation, ICT and other security agencies.