He asserted that cross-border diversion of fuel which has become so lucrative for smugglers because of such price disparity is an economic sabotage that the NCS cannot condone.
Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi
JUST IN: 280,135 litres smuggled petrol seized in Adamawa
The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has blamed the widespread smuggling of petrol from Nigeria to neighbouring countries on the higher cost of the product in those countries.
The Customs boss also announced in Yola, Adamawa state, the seizure of the product from smugglers amounting to a total 280,135 litres of litres worth N196,524,076 in different parts of the country.
The controller-general was at the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command headquarters of the NCS in Yola on Monday specifically to address the media on activities of Customs’ ‘Operations Whirl Wind’ which was launched two weeks ago to tackle smuggling of petrol from Nigeria.
Breaking down the figures, the Controller-General said that under Operation Whirl Wind, the NCS seized 150,950 litres worth N105,965,391 while the various area commands of the service in their various routine operations intercepted a total of 129,185 litres worth N90,558,685.
He said, “Within seven days of intensive operations (by Operations Whirl Wind), a total of 150,950 litres of PMS (petrol) valued at N105,965,391 has been intercepted at various locations nationwide. “
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On seizures made through routine operations of the various commands of the NCS, the NCS boss explained that federal operating units and marine commands intercepted a total of 129,185 litres of fuel valued at N90,558,685.
He said fuel snuggling out of Nigeria had become so widespread because the average cost of the product in neighbouring countries is much higher than what is applicable in Nigeria.
He explained: “Comparative studies show that fuel prices in Nigeria remain the cheapest when compared to other countries in the West and Central African region. While petrol is sold at an average of N701.99 in Nigeria, it is sold at an average of N1,672.05 in the Republic of Benin and N2,061.55 in Cameroon.
“In other countries around the region, the price of PMS ranges from N1,427.68 in Liberia to N2,128.20 in Mali, averaging N1,787.57.”
He asserted that cross-border diversion of fuel which has become so lucrative for smugglers because of such price disparity is an economic sabotage that the NCS cannot condone.
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