The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos has intercepted two boats laden with 12,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N8.7 million.
The seizure was found concealed in sacks and 25-litre jerry cans, along the Isalu Creek Badagry waterways, en route Benin Republic.
Controller of the Command, Paul Bamisaiye, said the products were intercepted at about 11:30 p.m., on May 8, during a joint patrol of the command.
Bamisaiye explained that as the customs officers approached, the smugglers fled along the shores of the creek.
He said the boats were towed to the customs station at Badagry, where a preliminary examination was conducted.
Thereafter, they were transferred to the Western Marine Command Headquarters in Ibafon Apapa, Lagos.
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Bamisaiye said a careful examination at the headquarters revealed that the seized goods included 177 sacks and 61 kegs of 25 litres each, totaling 12,500 litres of PMS, with a total duty paid value of N8.7 million.
“This seizure is economically significant to the command during this period of scarcity of petroleum products, especially PMS, in the country,” said Bamisaiye.
He said the action of the smugglers contravenes Sections 245 and 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which the Western Marine Command is responsible to enforce.
Bamisaiye affirmed that the command is determined to rid the nation’s waterways of smuggling and economic sabotage, and to support growth of the economy.
He added that smugglers now use sophisticated boats with high horsepower to quickly move items, and that in response, the command plans to intensify its efforts and equip itself with tools to suppress their activities.
SOUECE: Guardian Nigeria