By Sylvanus OBASI, Lagos
The Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted One Hundred and Seventy Seven (177) Sacks and Sixty One (61) Kegs of 25 Litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) containing Twelve Thousand Five Hundred (12,500) Liters with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Eight Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N8,750,000) only.
Speaking while briefing newsmen on Friday at the Command Headquater, Ibafon, the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye disclosed that the seizures was made along Isalu Creek Badagry Waterway en-route Benin Republic at about 23:30 hours on Wednesday, 8th may, 2024.
Speaking further while showcasing the intercepted products, Compt Bamisaiye disclosed that his operatives who have been placed at strategic positions, got the intelligence information on joint patrol by Teams in the Command that two (2) boats laden with what was suspected to be petroleum products concealed in sacks was uncovered.
Comptroller Bamisaiye said that upon receipt of the information the team moved into Isalu Creeks Badagry Waterway where the seizure was made while the smugglers took to their heels on sighting the officers.
“In fulfillment of its anti-smuggling functions which is one of the core mandate of Nigeria Customs Service as enshrined in the NCS Act 2023, the Western Marine Command of the Service in a major onslaught against the reign of smuggling on our western waterways and Creeks has made a seizure of One Hundred and Seventy Seven (177) Sacks and Sixty One (61) Kegs of 25 Litres containing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along Isalu Creek Badagry Waterway en-route Benin Republic.
“This Seizure is most economically significant to the Command at this period of scarcity of Petroleum Products especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in our cities, and shows the anticipatory posture in our response to economic saboteurs.
He explained that, “Careful examination at the Command Headquarters revealed that the arrest was found to contain One Hundred and Seventy Seven (177) Sacks and Sixty One (61) Kegs of 25 Litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) containing Twelve Thousand Five Hundred (12,500) Liters with a total Duty Paid Value standing at Eight Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N8,750,000) respectively”
The Command under the leadership of Compt. PK Bamisaiye is poised more than ever to rid our Waterways of all acts of smuggling and economy sabotage for the benefit of the growth of economy of Nigeria,” the Controller stated.
“The action of the smugglers is a contravention of Section 245 & 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 which the service through Western Marine Command is responsible for enforcing”.
