Seme Customs intercepts 39,000 litres of petrol in Lagos Creek

Abiola Seun

The Seme border command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted 39,000litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to be smuggled out of the country to neighbouring Benin Republic.

In a press statement by the Customs public relations officer, Seme command, Hussein Abdulahi, he said the contraband was intercepted with the continuous offensive patrol against the smuggling of petroleum product along the creeks.

According to him, the interception.was made within the Seme and Badagry axis by officers and men of the Command.

Abdulahi, stated further, that the arrest was made on Wednesday, 6th April 2022, after the products were packaged in sacks, saying the contraband has a Duty Paid Value (DPV), of N12.5million.

He said, “the PMS were packaged in sacks and findings revealed that 1,300, jerry cans of petroleum products in 30 litres each, equivalent to 39,000 litres were discovered.

“The aforementioned item has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12.5million. This arrest is coming at a time government is spending huge resources to subside the products to ameliorate the plight of its citizens, but these unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements are bent on sabotaging the efforts of 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.”

“Accordingly, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bello Mohammed Jibo attributed the successes recorded to consistency on the part of the Management of the Nigeria Customs service in providing the needed logistics, adequate working tools, support and ensuring hard working officers are recognized and rewarded most especially through promotions.”

“The CAC affirmed the continuous monitoring and surveillance of the border axis, has contributed in suppressing such illegal activities and sent the right signal to people involve in such unfortunate act of smuggling to desist and face lawful businesses along the border axis.

“The Command remain committed in ensuring such illegal and unlawful businesses are suppressed and discouraged at our borders.”