The Customs Command of Adamawa and Taraba has confiscated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), widely recognized as petrol, valued at over ₦72.6 million.
The command linked the confiscation to its relentless initiatives aimed at bolstering the economy and safeguarding the nation’s borders against unauthorized smuggling operations.
During a press briefing at the command headquarters in Yola on Wednesday, Comptroller Garba Bashir disclosed that the intercepted petrol was on its way to Cameroon via the River Benue waterways.
“The operatives of the command have dealt yet another significant blow to the smugglers through shared intelligence, harnessing technology, and coordinated border management,” Bashir expressed.
He affirmed that throughout his tenure, the Adamawa and Taraba Customs Command would remain a no-go area for smugglers.
“We have begun to tighten the noose on the smugglers, and we will persist in doing so until all smuggling activities are eradicated from the command,” he asserted.
He also revealed that the operatives raided the banks of River Benue at Jimeta Waterside, commonly referred to as Bakin Kogi, around 3:30 a.m. and found 240 drums of 220 liters each, meticulously arranged and poised to be transported through the waterways to Cameroon.
Bashir issued a firm warning to smugglers, urging them to cease their illegal enterprises.
“To the smugglers and economic saboteurs, I implore you to abandon illicit trading and pursue legitimate business as the Nigeria Customs Service is dedicated to facilitating lawful trade and is ever-prepared to dismantle smuggling networks to revitalize the nation’s economy,” he cautioned.