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From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
Operatives of the Sokoto/Zamfara Customs Area Command have rejected the sum of N1.5 million offered to them by some railway vandals in Sokoto State.
The Comptroller of Customs, Kamal Muhammed, made the disclosure while handing over a truck conveying 20-feet container-laden railway tracks, along with three suspects to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Muhammad said on June 8, 2024, operatives from his command clampdown on the suspects known to be a notorious cartel that specialised in vandalising railway tracks.
“They were in a truck conveying a 20-feet container laden with vandalised railway tracks along with three suspects when they were intercepted by the command’s monitoring team at Kajiji, along Kebbi road. The suspects could not tender evidence of allocation from the Federal Ministry of Transport. Instead, they made an overture to bribe the officers with N1.5 million and even made an advance cash offer of N300,000.
“However, out of patriotism and integrity, my officers chose the path of honour by detaining them at the command headquarters. As we are all aware, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense (NSCDC) is the agency mandated to secure critical national assets, conforming with the collaboration policy thrust of the CGC”.
The area comptroller said the truck, its content and the sum of N300,000 cash have been handed over to the Commander, NSCDC, Sokoto Command, for further investigation and prosecution.
In the same vein, Muhammad said other operatives, under the aegis of Zone ‘B’ Whirlwind Tactical Team, with reinforcement by officers and men of the area command, also intercepted 11, 270 litres of premium spirit (PMS), popularly known as petroleum. He said the seizure of the product was in an effort to curtail smuggling and economic sabotage of petroleum products.
“The command has auctioned 11,270 litres of seized premium motor spirit to the general public at the official rate of N180. The decision is in compliance with the CGC’s matching order to seal up all routes used for the smuggling of petroleum products.
“Recall that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, on May 22, 2024 inaugurated an intelligence-driven tactical team, code-named Whirlwind, assigned with the sole mandate of combatting the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.
“He also stated that the maritime and cross-border smuggling of PMS has a negative impact on the overall supply chain of the product, in addition to the possibility of funding criminal activities with the proceeds. Even with the removal of subsidy, the smuggling of PMS brings about an extra cost burden on the country, both in terms of security of supply and securing of the scarce foreign exchange used to import the product,” Muhammad said.
The area comptroller noted that the service is poised to continue to protect Nigeria’s economic interest with dedication and integrity without fear or favour, in tandem with the provision of the law.
“In line with extant laws and the approval by the Comptroller General of Customs, the seized PMS will be auctioned to the general public, today, at a token of N180 per litre.”
He, however, warned the smugglers to desist from their dastardly act as the long arm of the law will surely catch up with them in no distant time. Muhammad also appreciated the continuous support and effort of the newsmen to the command, towards upholding the rule of law and protection of the nation’s interest.
