– Seizes 29,825 litres of Cameroon-bound smuggled PMS
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has issued a strong warning to oil and gas marketers involved in cross border smuggling, vowing to intensify its crackdown on illegal activities that threaten the nation’s economy.
Customs Area Controller, Adamawa/Taraba Command, Garba Bashir, declared that illicit traders would not have “fresh air” until they abandoned economic sabotage.
Bashir briefing newsmen in Yola, Adamawa State capital, highlighted the Command’s recent anti-smuggling achievements, he revealed that Customs operatives had intercepted smuggled goods worth N51,947,500 in just three weeks.
The seized items included 29,825 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, three vehicles with hidden compartments, second-hand clothing, and dangerous chemicals such as methylene chloride.
“Illegitimate marketers will not have fresh air until they forsake economic sabotage and embrace genuine business that aligns with government fiscal policies,” Bashir said.
Bashir emphasized that intelligence sharing and collaboration among security agencies were critical in tackling cross-border smuggling, particularly the illegal export of petroleum products to neighbouring Cameroon.
“Our fight against smuggling is non-negotiable. We are working closely with other security agencies to ensure that our borders remain secure and that economic saboteurs have no hiding place,” he added.
Despite border closures, the Customs boss commended the Adamawa/Taraba Command officers and sister security agencies for their dedication in enforcing government fiscal policies.
In a major revenue boost, Bashir announced that the Command had generated N173,609,941.31 in revenue for 2024, surpassing its annual target of N132 million by 23.97%.
The revenue, he explained, was primarily realized through the direct auctioning of seized goods in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The intercepted PMS, he disclosed, would be auctioned to the public immediately after the briefing due to its inflammable nature.
Bashir called on oil and gas marketers, patriotic Nigerians, and the media to support the NCS in eradicating smuggling, which he described as a “cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian economy.”
Reaffirming Customs’ commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders, he warned that tougher measures would be enforced to dismantle smuggling networks and prevent security threats linked to illegal trade.
Adamawa/Taraba Customs Urges Oil & Gas Marketers to Join Fight Against Smuggling
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adamawa/Taraba Customs Area Command, has called on oil and gas marketers to collaborate in the fight against smuggling, stressing that illegal activities in the sector seriously threaten the nation’s economy.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, at the Customs House in Yola, the Area Controller, Comptroller Garba Bashir, highlighted the Command’s recent achievements in anti-smuggling operations.
“Within the last three weeks, Customs Operatives intercepted smuggled goods worth ₦51,947,50,0, including 29,825 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), three vehicles with hidden compartments, second-hand clothing, and dangerous chemicals such as methylene chloride,” he said.
Bashir reaffirmed Customs’ commitment to preventing economic sabotage, stating, “Illegitimate marketers will not have fresh air until they forsake economic sabotage and embrace genuine business that aligns with government fiscal policies.”
In addition to the seizures, the Customs Area Controller announced that the Command had generated ₦173,609,941.31 in revenue for 2024, exceeding its annual target of ₦132 million by over 23.97%. This revenue was largely realised through the direct auctioning of seized items, in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Despite the closure of territorial borders, Bashir commended the efforts of Adamawa/Taraba Command Officers, Customs Units and sister security agencies for their role in ensuring successful enforcement of government fiscal policies.
He urged oil and gas marketers, patriotic Nigerians, and the media to join forces with the NCS in tackling smuggling activities, which he described as a “cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian economy.”
The Customs Area Controller stated that the seized PMS would be auctioned to the public immediately after the briefing, following standard operating procedures due to its inflammable nature.
While calling for the continued cooperation of citizens, he reiterated Customs’ commitment to dismantling smuggling networks and safeguarding Nigeria’s borders from security threats linked to illegal trade.
