LIVE UPDATES
The Sokoto/Zamfara Customs Area Command has sold off 11,270 litres of confiscated Premium Motor Spirit to the public at the approved price of N180.
This action was taken in line with the directive from the CGC to block all routes used for illegal transportation of petroleum products.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) received a truck carrying a 20ft container filled with railway tracks and three suspects from the Comptroller of Customs, Kamal Muhammed.
The interception of 11,270 litres of premium spirit (PMS) by the Zone ” B” whirlwind tactical team, with support from the Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, was part of the Customs Service's efforts to combat smuggling and economic sabotage of petroleum products.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, inaugurated the Whirlwind tactical team on May 22, 2024, to specifically target the smuggling of petroleum products to neighboring countries. The maritime and cross-border smuggling of PMS has a detrimental impact on the product's supply chain and could potentially fund criminal activities.
Despite the removal of subsidy, the smuggling of PMS imposes additional costs on the country in terms of security and foreign exchange usage.
The Customs Service remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria's economic interests within the boundaries of the law.
In accordance with existing laws and approval from the Comptroller General of Customs, the seized PMS will be auctioned to the public at a price of 180 Naira per litre. Additionally, the Whirlwind Zone B tactical team recently auctioned 20,142 litres of PMS at the Kebbi Area Command.
On June 8th, 2024, law enforcement officials from the Command apprehended a well-known criminal organization that specializes in damaging railway tracks.
The Command's monitoring team intercepted a truck carrying a 20-foot container filled with vandalized railway tracks and detained three suspects at Kajiji along Kebbi road.
The suspects failed to provide evidence of authorization from the Federal Ministry of Transport and attempted to bribe the officers with N1.5 million, offering an initial cash sum of N300,000. However, the officers upheld their integrity and detained the suspects at the Command Headquarters.
The Area Command handed over the suspects, the truck, its contents, and the N300,000 cash to the Commander of NSCDC Sokoto Command for further investigation and prosecution.
The Commander warned smugglers to stop their criminal activities as they will inevitably face the consequences of the law.
The Command expressed gratitude to the media for their ongoing support in upholding the rule of law and protecting the nation's interests.
