The Adamawa and Taraba Customs command has intercepted Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, worth over ₦72.6 million.
The seizure was part of efforts to protect Nigeria’s economy and territorial borders from illicit cross-border smuggling activities.
Speaking to journalists at the command headquarters in Yola on Wednesday, the Comptroller of the command, Garba Bashir, confirmed that the petrol was being smuggled to Cameroon through the River Benue waterways.
“The operatives of the command have launched yet another heavy blow on the smugglers through shared intelligence, leverage of technology, and coordinated border management,” Bashir stated.
He further declared that the Adamawa and Taraba Customs Command under his leadership would be a hostile environment for smugglers.
“We have started strangling the smugglers, and we will continue to strangle and suffocate them until smuggling activities are being purged out of the command,” he vowed.
Providing details of the operation, Bashir explained, “The operatives stormed the bank of River Benue, at Jimeta waterside, popularly called Bakin Kogi, at about 0330 hours and discovered 240 drums of 220 litres each, well arranged with an intent to ferry it through the waterways to the Republic of Cameroon.”
He also issued a stern warning to smugglers and those engaging in illegal trade.
“To the smugglers and economic saboteurs, I encourage you to forsake illicit trade activities and embrace genuine business, as the Nigeria Customs Service is out to facilitate legitimate trade and is ever ready to crack down on smuggling cartels for the nation’s economy to have fresh air,” he cautioned.