The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it will auction 14,375 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized from smugglers attempting to transport the product to Cameroon.
The petrol was intercepted by the NCS Special Anti-Smuggling Taskforce, Operation Whirlwind, in the Calabar axis of Cross River.
The National Coordinator of the taskforce in Zone C, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Calabar.
Aliyu said: “Within the past several weeks, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, our operatives successfully dismantled a coordinated network involved in the illegal exportation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to neighbouring Cameroon.”
He said the operation led to the interception of 235 jerry-cans of 25 litres each and 40 drums of 200 litres each.
Aliyu said: “During the operation, we intercepted 235 jerry-cans of 25 litres each and 40 drums (200 litres each) of Premium Motor Spirit, amounting to a total volume of 14,375 litres.
“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized petroleum products stands at Fourteen Million, Three Hundred and Seven-Five Thousand Naira Only (N14,375,000).
“Through sustained surveillance and strategic interdictions across identified flashpoints, including Ikang, Bakassi, Ikom and Ikot-Idareka.”
He added that the products were being diverted for illegal export in violation of Nigeria’s laws regulating the distribution and movement of petroleum products.
Aliyu said the NCS remained committed to safeguarding the nation’s economy and combating smuggling activities.
The Zone C Area Comptroller, Momodu Dauda, said the seizure demonstrated the service’s resolve to protect the national economy and suppress smuggling that undermines legitimate trade.
