The Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command has confirmed seizures of 67,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from smugglers at the border communities in the state.
This was made known in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, Chado Zakari, and made available to newsmen in Ilorin on Monday.
The statement reads in part “A few months into the ongoing operations ‘Whirlwind’, we have recorded remarkable results in terms of illegal smuggling of Petroleum Motor Spirits.
“It would be recalled that the exercise, which commenced in May 2024 involves the collaboration of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
“The operation, through the leadership of Compt. Hussaini Ejibunu, comprising of enforcement officers from other sister security agencies and the Customs Intelligent Unit (CIU) covering Niger/Kwara axis.
“On 17th and 18th September 2024, along Gwanara axis of the state, our operatives intercepted 38 and 61 Kegs of 25 liters of PMS respectively, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) en route Benin Republic with a duty paid value of Two Million Nine hundred and seventy thousand naira (N2, 970,000.00).
“Similarly, on Monday, 30th Sept, 2024, a team of officers led by Chief Superintendent of Customs, Waziri Mohammed at about 1130pm around Gure/kusoboso intercepted 90 kegs of 25 liters of PMS with a duty paid value of Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand (N2,700,000.00).
“Notable seizures made by the operatives include two trucks with registration number FST-524 XGand JJJ-14-XQ respectively stocked with 33,000 liters each, filled with PMS all intended for smuggling out with a duty paid value of Seventy Nine Million Two Thousand (N79, 200, 000.000).
“The total Duty Paid Value of the seizure is Eighty Four Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy Thousand N84, 870,000,000.
“The action of the smugglers contravenes Section 245 & 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”
He also stated in the statement that One suspect was apprehended in connection with these smuggling activities and was granted administrative bail.
