The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi has auctioned Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS, to the public in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital, at the rate of six hundred and fifty naira N650 per liter.
The auctioned PMS, sold in two fuel stations in Yola to Motorists were from the two trucks of 33,000 litre capacity each, intended to be smuggled out of the country through the border towns in Adamawa state and were intercepted by the Operation Whirlwind of the Nigerian Custom Service.
The operation whirlwind of the Customs Service which was launched in May this year in collaboration with the office of the National Security Adviser is a strategic initiative to combat fuel smuggling across Nigeria’s border.
During a press briefing in Yola, the Custom Boss said, the Operation Whirlwind, had seized ninety-four thousand five hundred and fifty litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit in Adamawa State, North eastern Nigeria.
It consists of two trucks of 33,000 litre capacity each, one thousand and forty-six Jerri cans of 25 litres capacity each and 12 drums of 200 litres capacity each filled with PMS intended to be smuggled out of the country.
“The seizures underscore the persistent nature of this challenge and the necessity of the Customs’ continued vigilance and action,’’ the Comptroller General said.
The Deputy Comptroller General, Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Olaniyi Olajogun said the operation whirlwind had reported significant seizures of Petroleum Motor Spirit totaling one hundred and fifty thousand, nine hundred and fifty liters, valued at over one hundred and five million naira.
“I am calling on all residents of Adamawa state and other border states to support Operation Whirlwind to curtail the illegal exportation of Petroleum Motor Spirit and safely guide the Nation’s resources,’’ he emphasised.
He added that by doing so together, they will build a safer and a more prosperous Nigeria.
Mr Olajogun therefore reiterated warning to those engaged in such illicit activities that the full force of the law would be brought to bear on anyone caught smuggling Nigeria’s resources.
Hauwa Abu
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