From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi has showcased 125,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), seized at various border points within Kebbi State with Duty Paid Value of N125,000,000.
Adeniyi,who showed the exhibit at a press conference held at the Kebbi Area Command headquarters, Birnin Kebbi,attributed the success story of the seizure to inter-agencies collaboration.
The CGC, represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirl Wind, Assistant Controller General of Customs,Husseini Ejibunu, explained that smuggling of PMS poses significant danger to the Nigerian economy including revenue loss, distortion of trade statistics, artificial scarcity of PMS, threat to national security and undermining government policies.
He said that during a strategic operation based on credible intelligence by CIU conducted at Tsamiya area of Kebbi State, which was under surveillance for a couple of days, their diligent operatives in conjunction with the Kebbi Area Command and FOU ‘B’ intercepted three Scania Trucks.
The trucks registration numbers according to him, are;BC-7184RB (Republic of Birnin), laden with 766 Jerry-cans of 25 liters of PMS and 18 drums of 200 liters each of PMS, AT-2457RB (Republic of Birnin), laden with 1,454 Jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS and drums of 200 liters of PMS and BV-6240RB (Republic of Birnin) laden with 1,350 Jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS and 18 drums of 200 liters each of PMS.
He said: “the team had already seized about 805 kegs of 25 liters of PMS at various flash points within the Zone such as Dolekeina. Zaria kalakala, Tunga water-side, Lolo Tsamiya.
“The grand total of all the seized PMS in Jerry-cans amounts to 4,375 liters at 25 liters each while the 54 drums amount to 10,800 liters at about 200 liters per drum.
“The total seizure in liters amounts to 125,000 liters with DPV of one hundred and twenty-five million naira (N125,000,000)”, he said.
Adeniyi,noted that the success of the seizure was due to the collaboration among Operation Whirlwind, the office of the National security adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
“The coordinated efforts of these esteemed institutions have enabled us to respond swiftly and efficiently to intelligence reports and secure our borders with precision and professionalism.
“It is pertinent to note the critical role played by the office of the National Security Adviser in strategic intelligence guidance, and overarching policy support under the leadership of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (mni), for his strong commitment to addressing security challenges in Nigeria. Their leadership has been instrumental in fostering an environment of trust and cooperation among all stakeholders”.