Smuggling: Seme Customs intercepts 3,998 jerry cans of petrol destined for Benin
Paul Ogbuokiri
The Seme Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Wednesday disclosed that the continuous surveillance and offensive patrol by the officers and men of the Command along the creeks and beaches intercepted 3,998 jerry cans of petroleum products that was about to be smuggled out of Nigeria.
A statement by the Command PRO,Hussaini Abdullahi stated that on the the late hours of Monday 15 August 2022, the Command received a tip-off of intelligence that there were large quantities of Petroleum product (PMS) stockpiled close to a beach along Badagry waterways intended to be smuggled out of the country.
“Our men stormed the location and the product was successfully evacuated to the Command premises in Seme Border. The findings revealed that three thousand, nine hundred and ninety-eight (3,998) Jerry cans of PMS in thirty (30) litre each, equivalent to one hundred and nineteen thousand, nine hundred and forty (119, 940) litres of PMS about four (4) tanker loads of thirty-three thousand (33000) litres each were discovered.
“The seized petroleum product has a Duty Paid Value DPV of twenty-eight million, nine hundred and twenty-four thousand, three hundred and ninety-seven Naira ( N28, 924,397.00 ) only,” he said.
Commenting on the giant’s strides achieved by his command while showcasing the seizure, the Customs Area Controller, Compt. Bello Mohammed Jibo reiterated the commitment of his officers to continue making smuggling unattractive while noting that the economic saboteurs will be frustrated until smuggling is suppressed to the barest minimum level.
The CAC used the medium to call on fellow Nigerians to provide useful information that could help to curtail the illegal activities of unscrupulous elements among us. He applauded his officers for the high level of discipline, patriotism and professionalism exhibited in the discharge of their duty and urged them to keep making the Command and service proud.
Finally, the Area Controller acknowledged and appreciated the support and cooperation enjoyed from our host communities and security agencies without which the Command couldn’t have achieved this great feat. The Command also express its gratitude to the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali ( Rtd) and the management team for motivating officers by providing necessary tools for improved performance.