*Customs Seize N72.6m Worth of PMS in Less Than Two Weeks By Muh’d Shafi’u Saleh The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Adamawa/Tarab...
*Customs Seize N72.6m Worth of PMS in Less Than Two Weeks
By Muh’d Shafi’u Saleh
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Adamawa/Taraba Command has reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on smugglers, vowing to make the states an inhospitable environment for illegal trade.
Addressing a press briefing in Yola on Wednesday, the Comptroller of the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Garba Bashir, disclosed that the command had made significant seizures of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth a total duty-paid value of N72.6 million in less than two weeks.
“In Adamawa and Taraba States, smugglers will not have fresh air. We have started strangling them, and we will continue to strangle and suffocate them until smuggling activities are eradicated from these states,” Bashir declared.
He revealed that on March 8, customs operatives intercepted a Toyota Corolla at the Fufore-Gurin international border. The vehicle was fully loaded with petrol and was about to be smuggled into a neighboring country.
Further intensifying its operations, the command launched a raid on March 13, acting on intelligence. Customs officers stormed the Jimeta waterside (Bakin Kogi) along the River Benue, where they uncovered a massive cache of fuel—240 drums, each containing 220 liters of petrol—intended for illegal transportation to Cameroon.
In another operation on March 14, customs officers conducted an intelligence-led raid in the Fufore-Gurin axis, seizing 425 jerrycans of petrol, each with a 25-liter capacity.
"In total, we confiscated a staggering 70,175 liters of petrol within this short period, along with the seized vehicle," Bashir stated.
According to him, these operations have significantly disrupted the illicit fuel trade, showcasing the customs agency’s growing efficiency in border security enforcement. He attributed the success to enhanced intelligence gathering, the use of advanced technology, capacity-building initiatives, and a coordinated approach to border security.
Bashir commended the unwavering support of the NCS leadership under Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which he said has been instrumental in improving operational effectiveness. He also acknowledged the crucial role of inter-agency collaboration in achieving these results.
Issuing a stern warning to smugglers, Bashir urged them to abandon their illegal activities before facing the full weight of the law.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is committed to facilitating legitimate trade and will not relent in dismantling smuggling cartels. Our goal is to create an environment where the nation’s economy can breathe fresh air,” he asserted.
Recognizing the importance of collective effort, Bashir called on patriotic citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious cross-border activities. He emphasized that security agencies alone cannot eradicate smuggling; public cooperation is essential to sustaining the progress made.
“Smuggling has deeply affected our economy and national security. For a better and more prosperous Nigeria, we need the full support of all Nigerians in this fight—it is not a one-man battle,” he stressed.
He also urged media professionals to intensify advocacy against smuggling, highlighting its detrimental impact on the country’s economy and security. According to him, increased public awareness and accurate reporting can deter potential smugglers and promote legal trade practices.
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