The Sème Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 39,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol along the Badagry and Seme border creeks.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bello Jibo, said this in a statement issued by Mr Hussein Abdulahi, the spokesman for the Command, on Saturday in Seme, Lagos.
Jibo said the petrol was concealed in 30 litres jerrycans. He said that the seized petroleum products have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12.54 million only.
Jibo noted that the continuous offensive patrol against the smuggling of petroleum products along the creeks within the Seme and Badagry axis by officers and men of the command had recorded yet another massive seizure of the product.
“The arrest was made on April 6, the petrol was packaged in sacks. The findings revealed that 1,300 jerry cans of petroleum products in 30 litres each, equivalent to 39,000 litres were discovered.”
“This arrest is coming at a time when the government is spending huge resources to subside the products to ameliorate the plight of its citizens. These unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements are bent on sabotaging the efforts of the government.”
“It is on this premise that the officers and men of the command, redoubled their efforts with renewed vigour in the fight against smuggling of the petroleum product,” he said.
Jibo attributed the successes recorded to consistency on the part of the management of the NCS in providing the needed logistics, adequate working tools, support and ensuring hard-working officers were recognised and rewarded through promotions.
He said that the continuous monitoring and surveillance of the border axis had contributed to suppressing such illegal activities, sending the right signal to people involved in such unfortunate acts of smuggling to desist and face lawful business.
Jibo said the command remained committed to ensuring such illegal and unlawful business were suppressed and discouraged at Seme borders.