Key Points
- Customs seized ₦72.6m worth of petrol heading to Cameroon.
- The operation used intelligence and technology to intercept smugglers.
- Bashir vows to continue cracking down on smuggling activities.
The Adamawa and Taraba customs command has seized Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) worth over ₦72.6 million.
The operation aims to safeguard the nation’s borders and prevent illicit cross-border smuggling activities.
Coordinated efforts lead to successful seizure
Comptroller Garba Bashir briefed journalists on Wednesday at the command headquarters in Yola, explaining that the seized petrol was headed to the Republic of Cameroon via the River Benue waterways.
Bashir highlighted that the operation was made possible by shared intelligence, the use of technology, and coordinated border management. He promised continued efforts to combat smuggling in the region.
Strong stance against smuggling activities
Bashir emphasized that under his leadership, the Adamawa and Taraba customs command would become a “dead zone” for smugglers.
He vowed to continue suffocating smuggling activities until they are completely eradicated from the area.
The customs operatives stormed the River Benue bank at Jimeta waterside, known as Bakin Kogi, at 3:30 a.m. and found 240 drums, each containing 220 liters of petrol, arranged for transport to Cameroon.
Bashir urged smugglers and economic saboteurs to abandon their illicit trade and embrace legitimate business.
He stressed that the Nigeria Customs Service is committed to facilitating legitimate trade and is always ready to take action against smuggling cartels to boost the nation’s economy.
