By Musa Ubandawaki  Sokoto

 SOKOTO: The Nigeria  Custom Service NCS Sokoto/Zamfara  Area command  has on Monday  auctioned  2, 270litres of seized  PMS otherwise known as  Petroleum to general public in Sokoto at 180 naira per liter.

The Comptroller of the   NCS Sokoto Area Command said the auction  is in an  effort  to curtail smuggling and economic sabotage of petroleum products.

He said the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has on  22nd of May, 2024 inaugurated an intelligence – driven tactical team code named whirlwind assigned with the  mandate to combat  smuggling of petroleum products to neighboring countries.

According to him, in compliance with the CGC’s matching order to seal up all routes used for the smuggling of petroleum products, the NCS Zone  ” B” whirlwind tactical team with  reinforcement from  Officers and men of Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command intercepted 11, 270liters of premium spirit (PMS) popular called petrol along Kebbi/Sokoto road.

He said the maritime and cross border smuggling of PMS has impacted negatively  on the overall supply chain of the product in addition to  possibility of funding criminal activities with the proceeds.

” Even with the removal of subsidy, the smuggling of PMS brings about extra cost burden on the country both in terms of security of supply and securing of the scarce foreign exchange used to import the product.”

” The service is poised to continue to protect Nigeria’s economic interest with dedication and integrity without fear or favour in tandem with the provision of the law.”

“Inline with extant laws and the approval by the Comptroller General of Customs, the seized PMS will be auctioned to the general public at a token of 180 naira per liter.”

” Relatedly,  the whirwild zone B over the week the tactical team auctioned 20,142 liters of PMS to the general public at Kebbi Area Command. 

“In the same vein, on the 8th of June, 2024, operatives of the Command clampdown on a notorious cartel that specializes in vandalisation of railway tracks with a truck conveying a 20 feet container laden truck  with vandalized railway tracks  along with three (3) suspects were intercepted  by the Command monitoring team at Kajiji town along Kebbi/ Sokoto road.

“The suspects could not tender evidence of allocation from the Federal Ministry of Transport, instead made an overture to bribe  officers of NCS with 1.5 million Naira making an advance  cash offer  of 300, 000 niara.

“Out of patriotism and integrity, the Officers chose the path of honour ri refuse the offer and further  detain the suspects  at the Command Headquarters.

“As we are all aware, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense (NSCDC) is the Agency mandated to secure Critical National assets, conforming with the Collaboration Policy thrust of the CGC, the Area Command handedover the Suspects, the truck, and its content and the sum of 300,000 Naira cash to the Commander NSCDC Sokoto Command for further ivestigation and prosecution.”

“At this juncture, I want to use this medium to pass a stern warning to smugglers to desist from their dastardly act as the long arm of the law will surely catch up with them in no distance time.

“Gentlemen of the press, thank you for your presence and attention, we appreciate your continuous support in our effort towards upholding the rule of law and protection of the Nation’s interest.” Stated the NCS comptroller .