Officers from the Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, have confiscated 12,500 liters of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, valued at N8,750,000, along the Isalu Creek Badagry Waterway, en route to Benin Republic.
As per a statement and images shared on X.com by the NCS on Sunday, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, disclosed this at the command’s headquarters on Friday.
The statement mentioned, “At about 2330hrs on Wednesday, 8 May 2024, while on joint patrol based on credible intelligence, we received the movement of two boats laden with what was suspected to be petroleum products concealed in sacks. Upon receipt of the information, the team moved into Isalu Creeks Badagry Waterway.
“The Customs Area Controller noted that a careful examination of the seizure at the Command Headquarters revealed ‘177 sacks and 61 kegs of 25 Litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) containing 12,500 Liters with a total Duty Paid Value standing at N8,750,000.”
Bamisaiye was reported to have cautioned smugglers to stop their actions or face arrest, stating that the smugglers' actions violate Sections 245 and 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
He was quoted as saying, “The economic significance of this type of seizure during a fuel scarcity cannot be overstated.
“People are enduring artificial scarcity, yet these products are being smuggled out of the country in pursuit of profit. Either they cease this behavior, or we will continue to apprehend them. We have zero tolerance for this behavior.”
Similarly, PUNCH Online reported on Saturday that the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the NCS said it intercepted 12,435 liters of PMS worth N10.8 million being illegally exported to Cameroon.
