The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adamawa/Taraba Command, has seized petroleum products and other contraband valued at N98 million along border areas in Adamawa State.
The Comptroller General, represented by the Area Controller, Ma Tako, disclosed this yesterday during a press briefing on the command’s anti-smuggling operations at the Customs House in Yola.
Tako said the seizures, made within six weeks, comprised 1,288 jerry cans and three drums containing approximately 32,860 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and alongside 2,800 liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) packed in 112 jerry cans of 25-litre capacity.
Other items seized include 43 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, five cartons and 12 packages of Viagra 200mg tablets, 509 pieces of raw donkey skin, and 460kg of dried donkey meat.
He noted that the operations were conducted in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“These seizures were carried out pursuant to the provisions of Sections 150, 245 and 246 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and Schedule 6 (Export Prohibition List) of the Common External Tariff.
“Section 150 of the Act empowers the Service to prevent the illegal exportation of PMS, as well as raw donkey skin and meat out of the country.
“Section 245 gives officers the power to detain, seize and condemn smuggled goods, while Section 246 deals with the forfeiture of such items, including petroleum products moved contrary to extant laws,” he said.
Tako emphasized that the smuggling of petroleum products, wildlife, and unregistered pharmaceuticals undermines national security, public health, and economic stability.
He reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for smuggling, urging offenders to desist or face legal consequences.
“There will be zero tolerance for such illegal acts. Offenders will face seizure of goods, arrest and prosecution without exception,” he said.
Meanwhile, operatives of the NCS Operation Whirlwind intercepted and seized 1,510 jerry cans of 25 liters each and 30 drums of 200 liters each of PMS, totaling 43,750 liters, with an estimated Duty Paid Value of 43.8 million naira.
The Guardian/ Samuel Olokoba
