The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its operatives have seized smuggled petroleum motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, valued at N18.5 million in Adamawa state.
Hussein Ejibunu, national coordinator of the service’s operation whirlwind, said the product was seized during operations along the Nigeria-Cameroon border in Adamawa and Taraba states over the past two months.
Ejibunu spoke in Yola, the capital of Adamawa, on Wednesday during a press briefing.
Ejibunu said the service also intercepted 14 tankers loaded with petrol intended for diversion and smuggling.
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“Out of the 14 fuel tankers intercepted, 13 were handed over to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Yola, while one was handed over to NMDRA in Taraba state for continued inter-agency action,” he said.
He added that five vehicles and two motorcycles used for smuggling were also seized during the operations.
The coordinator said one suspect was arrested in connection with the smuggling activities and is currently being prosecuted.
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He noted that the efforts of the customs service have contributed to a “steady and sufficient supply of petrol in the state, reducing scarcity and price instability”.
“The recovered petrol will be auctioned due to its inflammable nature, in line with the NCS Act, 2023,” he added.
Ejibunu commended the cooperation among security agencies in the region and called for continued collaboration to curb smuggling.
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