… Says no safe haven for smugglers
By Janet Bogunjoko
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Kwara State Command, has seized Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth over N20,000,000 at a strategic border in Kwara State.
The Comptroller General of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, confirmed that this was facilitied by tactical efforts launched by the customs service to tackle diversion of petroleum products from Nigeria.
He disclosed this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Monday (February 17, 2025) while addressing the press during his visit to the state Command of the customs service, as part of his working visits.
The Comptroller General of the NCS, , revealed that the customs service had launched an aggressive action, through its “Operation Whirlwind” against smugglers and their activities in all strategic areas where they could thrive.
He reiterated The NCS’ commitment to curb diversion of petroleum products from Nigeria, saying there is no safe haven for smugglers.
According to him, what obtains in the petroleum pump prices between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries has continued to pave ways for smugglers and their activities, promising that the NCS will continue to gear efforts to curb this.
“There are lots of discrepancies that are still unfilled in fuel prices when we compare what is happening in our neighbouring countries with what we have in Nigeria. For instance, recent data of fuel prices show that the petroleum prices in Nigeria currently is something below N1,000 per litre as at 10th of February, 2025. This figure remains significant lower when we compare with that of our neighbouring countries”, he disclosed, citing examples from Benin Republic and Cameroon where petroleum is sold at about N1,700 and N2,000.
He said his visit to the Kwara State Command of the customs service became imperative in order to engage the necessary stakeholders and to sensitise the public on the dangers in diverting petroleum products out of Nigeria.
“I have decided to come and engage the stakeholders and pass this message to Nigerians that we must all continue to recognise that smuggling of petroleum products constitutes a great threat to our economy.” He said.
Breaking down the figures of the intercepted petroleum, he disclosed that the NCS seized about 800 jericans amounting to over 23,000 litres of petroleum on the strategic axis of Kwara/Niger alone, just as he reiterated its commitment to ensure Nigeria is free of smugglers.
