Customs seizes smuggled PMS, donkey skin worth N104,456,550 in Adamawa

From Umar Dankano, Yola

In its relentless anti-smuggling drive, the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted premium motor spirit, PMS worth One Hundred and Four Million, Four Hundred and fifty-six Thousand, Five Hundred and fifty (N104,456,550) naira.

Comptroller Garba Bature Bashir of the Area Command made the disclosure at a press conference held in Yola yesterday, stressing that the seizure marked  another high point in the fight against smuggling activities across the territorial borders of the command.

Bashir said that the smuggled seized items  included; 36,835 Litres of PMS packed in 1,219 Jerry Cans and 24 drums with the capacity of 25, 30, 60 and 200 litres intended to be smuggled into the adjacent country.

Bashir added that, 101 pieces of raw donkey skin packed in seven (7) sacks intended to be smuggled into the neighbouring country, noting that the 101 raw donkey skin seized and presented  translated to the killing of 101 live donkeys by the smugglers which contravened schedule six (6) of Common External Tariff as well as section 150 of NCS Act, 2023.

He lamented that if the killing and illegal exportation of this animal and other similar activities go unchecked, these animals will go into extinction.

“We are pleased to report that during the reporting period of four (4) weeks, the Command had another seizure with the monetary value of One Hundred and Four Million, Four Hundred and fifty-six Thousand, Five Hundred and fifty (N104,456,550) naira.

“These interceptions were made in different dates and locations across – Mubi-Sahuda road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha road, Bakin Kogi, Belel-Farang axis, Gurin-Fufore axis, Apawa-Jalingo axis, Gembu and other places within the Command’s borderlines.

“Accordingly the PMS here on ground will be auction to the general public in  strict adherent to the standard operating procedures as contained in the NCS Act, 2023 as a result of its inflammable nature and the proceed will also be remitted to the federation account immediately”, Bashir declared.