The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, has revealed that smugglers of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, supply the product to bandits.
Adeniyi made this known on Wednesday during a press briefing where he paraded 500 Jerry cans and drums of PMS and later ordered their sale to the general public.
The Comptroller General, represented by the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs and national coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Hussein Ejibunu, said the seized items were valued at N26 million.
“I am here in a twin capacity to represent the CG Custs on the discovery and arrest of these illicit items and I am equally the national coordinator of Operation Whirlwind nationwide, saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that our common patrimony, that is, the PMS, is not being taken out again.
“All these seizures you are seeing here were made at different flashpoints in Niger State. This is the first time this will happen and it is an indication that we have arrived here to stop all these menaces of smuggling PMS.
“Smuggling of PMS is detrimental to the survival of Nigeria. It has economic and security disadvantages as well. It will interest you to note that most of those bandits attacking us get their fuel through this means.
“And now it is difficult to allow such a quantum of fuel to go into their hands. It means we are fueling our traducers, giving them more power, more energy to come in to attack us. It is important to note that as Nigerians, it is our responsibility when we see something, we say something. Do not allow this to continue because a lot of people within Nigeria are looking for this product and they may not even get it. So, it is our resolve to wholistically stop this nemesis,” he said.
In his address, the Niger/Kogi Customs Area Commander, Paschal Chibuoke, said the seizure was a result of the collaboration of sister agencies who availed the Customs of intelligence and manpower.
“I am honoured to welcome you to this press briefing on the seizure of 500 Jerry cans and two drums of PMS at different intervals and places within the Babana border area (Kabe, Tunga and Madugu Road, Kate Kigbra Road, Dekara, Gidan Zana Road, Babana Guazo Road Axis) and the means of conveyance with total duty paid value DPV of N25,988,000.00.
“I am not aware of the shortage of manpower in the service generally. However, if the officers at my disposal have the required logistics in terms of new patrol vehicles equipped with communication gadgets, it will go a long way in reducing the menace,” he said.