Customs Seize Smuggled PMS Worth N51.9 Million in Adamawa/Taraba Area Command
From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted smuggled goods worth ₦51,947,500.00 in duty-paid value (DPV) across the command’s borderlines.
Comptroller of the Command, Compt. Garba Bature Bashir, disclosed this at a press conference in Yola on Wednesday, revealing that operatives seized 29,825 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) concealed in 1,149 jerry cans, four drums of 220 litres, and eight drums of 200 litres at a border with Cameroon. Additionally, 35 jerry cans of 25 litres of Methylene Chlorine (commonly known as ‘Suck and Die’) were also confiscated.
Other seized items include 11 bales of second-hand clothing, three vehicles, and one motorcycle used for smuggling PMS.
Comptroller Bashir attributed the success to the diligence, intelligence-sharing, and unwavering efforts of the operatives, as well as support from the public.
He announced that the seized PMS would be auctioned to interested buyers due to its inflammable nature, in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“The service is charged with facilitating legitimate trade, suppressing smuggling, and generating revenue—not to disrupt genuine cross-border supply chains,” he stated.
Additionally, Bashir revealed that the command had generated ₦173,609,941.31 in revenue for 2024, surpassing its original target of ₦132,000,000.00 by ₦41,609,941.31, representing a 23.97% increase.
“This revenue was generated from the direct auction sales of seized items, in accordance with Section 119 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023,” he added.
He emphasized that these achievements were recorded within the last three weeks of intensified anti-smuggling operations.
Comptroller Bashir urged genuine oil and gas marketers, as well as patriotic Nigerians, to support the fight against smuggling, reiterating the command’s commitment to dismantling smuggling cartels and networks completely.
