The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, has intercepted 35,725 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other contraband goods valued at over ₦109.5 million in an intensified crackdown on smuggling within the state.
The Comptroller of Customs, Mahmoud Ibrahim, announced the development on Wednesday during his maiden press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Birnin Kebbi.
According to him, the seizures were made through joint operations with Operation Whirlwind, a special task force of the Service.
He stated, “Operation Whirlwind intercepted 14,750 litres of PMS valued at ₦8.85 million, while officers of the Kebbi Command seized another 20,975 litres worth ₦12.58 million in various flashpoints, including Bagudo, Tsamiya, Kamba, Lolo, Bunza, and Zuru/Mahakala.
“These interceptions underscore our unwavering commitment to safeguard national resources and protect the economy from sabotage. Fuel smuggling deprives the nation of vital revenue and poses serious safety risks.”
Ibrahim praised the field officers, Customs Intelligence Unit, and partner security agencies for their “resilience, synergy, and professionalism,” noting that the confiscated fuel would be auctioned according to the law, with proceeds remitted to the federal treasury.
The Area Controller revealed that the Command generated ₦25.6 million in September, marking a 36.13% increase from August’s revenue, which he attributed to better stakeholder engagement, improved border management, and cooperation with the Niger Republic through the Kamba border axis.
He added, “In the last month, the Command also seized 100 bales of second-hand clothing, 444 laptop-sized wraps of Cannabis Sativa, and 143 mini sacks of donkey meat.
“We also seized 140 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 100 bags of parboiled rice and 20 jerrycans of vegetable oil, all valued at ₦109,595,761.
“In line with inter-agency cooperation, the Command will officially hand over 143 pieces of donkey meat to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and 444 wraps of Cannabis Sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).”
Ibrahim, who took over the Command in September, pledged to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and stakeholders to curb cross-border crimes, enhance intelligence sharing, and promote legitimate trade.
“Kebbi Command remains steadfast in addressing challenges and improving identified grey areas. Through innovation and dedication, we will continue to safeguard the national economy and ensure security,” he assured.
Earlier reports indicated that the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted contrabands worth ₦1.8 billion in six weeks across Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Lagos States, according to Area Controller Muhammed Shuaibu.
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