Customs in Adamawa/Taraba rattles smugglers :  Seizes petrol in drums, fertilizer, cars, others

Customs in Adamawa/Taraba rattles smugglers :  Seizes petrol in drums, fertilizer, cars, others

…Records N22.9million seizures

The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of Nigeria Customs (NCS), has
defeated smugglers sabotaging the nation’s economy in its area of responsibility, as the Command seized
494×50kg bags of dry blended NPK fertilizer, 14,980 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in drums and other items worth over N22, 894,723, approximately N22.9million.

The Command through timely deployment of intelligence also seized three vehicles namely; Toyota starlet and 2 Toyota corollas, used as means of conveyance of foreign rice.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of
Adamawa/Taraba Command, Compt SK ABDULLAHI, displayed the mind-boggling seizures, during press conference yesterday.

Speaking further, Compt ABDULLAHI disclosed that the seizures were made within few weeks, from May 6 to June 16, 2023.

He informed :  “The Command also intercepted 8,239,000.00
bags of foreign parboiled rice, 960 foreign soaps and other items, making a total of sixteen(16) assorted seizures”.

His assertions :  “I am bold to report that our operatives’ undaunted effort yielded positive results in anti-smuggling activities. This huge success
recorded so far is predicated on the existing synergy and gallantry efforts of our operatives.”

The CAC pointed out : “The seized PMS is going to be auctioned instantly, in line with the standard Operating procedure (SOP) and the proceeds remitted into the Federation Account.

“It is evident that the smuggling of PMS had reduced drastically owing to the removal of fuel subsidy and the product is available in all filling stations.

“However, we will not relent on our anti-smuggling drive, ensuring that Adamawa and Taraba States will be zero tolerance to smuggling”.

He went on :  “It might interest you to ask, now that we are in the farming season, fertilizer will be highly needed by farmers to improve their farm yield, why seizure of fertilizer ? The Nigeria Customs Service is one of the agencies saddled with the
responsibility of implementing Federal government policy on  movement of fertilizer.

“As such, seizure of dry blended NPK fertilizer is predicated on restriction of movement of the product, placed by the National Fertilizer Quality (control) Act, 2019 section 10, which restricts its movement, especially into the North-Eastern States”.

He emphasised :  “It is crystal clear that we are not relenting in our anti-
smuggling drive. We assure you that we shall pursue it aggressively within the armpit of the law, in order to bring smuggling to its knees in Adamawa and Taraba States, as well as its
environs.”