From John Adams Minna
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has expressed great concern over growing security challenges in the country, especially in parts of the North, saying the activities of bandits and other insurgents are hampering its operations.
Comptroller General of the Customs Service, Mr. Bash Adewale Adeniyi, stated this in Minna, Niger State, on Wednesday when he auctioned to the public premium motor spirit (PMS) in 500 25-litre jerry cans and two drums, which were seized by the men of the Niger/Kogi area command of the NCS.
The petroleum product, which had duty paid value put at N25,988, was intercepted near the Nigeria/Benin Republic border at Babana in Niger State during a routine border patrol of the area.
The CG of Customs, who was represented by the Assistant Comptroller General in charge of finance, administration and special duties, Hussein Ejibunu, said the seizure was the second in the last one month, after a similar operation in Adamawa State that led to the confiscation of 1,000 jerry cans of 25 litres being smuggled out to the neighboring countries.
He also disclosed that the NCS has lost three men to the new terrorist group, Lukarawa, in Busaka village, Kebbi State.
According to him, his men are also facing some challenges at New Bussa, in Borgu Local Government Area of the state, due to the activities of another terrorist group, the ISWAP, which has continued to occupy the Kainji National Park.
He pointed out that the 500 jerry cans and two drums of the PMS, auctioned to the public at N10,000 per jerry can, were intercepted along key smuggling routes, including the Kabe-Tunga-Madugu road, Kabe-Kibera road, Dekara-Gedang-Zana road and Babana-Gwarizo road.
He maintained that the activities of smugglers did not only amount to economic sabotage, they also had serious implications on the economy, adding that smuggling of petrol equally has security implications as it might end up in the wrong hands.
“Smuggling of PMS is detrimental to the survival of Nigeria. It has economic disadvantages and security disadvantages as well. It will interest you that most of those bandits attacking us rely on this snuggled petrol for their operations,” he said. “It means we are fuelling our enemies, giving them more power and energy to come in to attack us. It is important to note that, as Nigerians, it is our responsibility to volunteer information to security agents. When you see something wrong, you say it.”
Adeniyi noted that the seized petrol was being illegally exported to neighboring countries, stressing that “the operation was made possible through intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and community support.”
“This is the first time such a large seizure is happening in Niger State, and it sends a clear message that we are serious about stopping this menace,” he added.
The Comptroller General, however, said that no suspect was arrested in connection with the seized commodity, pointing out that the suspects all took to their heels and left the smuggled products when they discovered that they were being pursued,
“I would have loved a situation where someone was arrested and we brought him to justice. I want our officers to know that their job is incomplete if they do not bring a suspect.
“Suspect is germane and critical towards establishing the ways and manner these smuggled products are being taken to and who is receiving it.”
Earlier, the Customs Area Comptroller in charge of Niger-Kogi Command, Pascal Chibuoke, highlighted the dedication of officers on the ground and appealed for more operational support, such as patrol vehicles and communication tools, especially with the increasing presence of terrorist groups around Babana.
“This seizure demonstrates what can be achieved when agencies and communities work together. With continued support and proper logistics, we can reduce this problem to the barest minimum,” he said.