…Maiwada says Anti-smuggling led to the interception of 7 PMS trucks, sealing of 12 retail outlets, and seizure of 466,000 litres of petrol
BY GODWIN OBI
Last month, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded a whooping N277.5 billion in import duties.
The Customs image maker, and National Spokesman, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada disclosed during the monthly news conference, organised by the Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC), hosted by the NCS on Thursday in Abuja.
Maiwada said the Service also collected ₦15.8 billion in excise duties, demonstrating its commitment to maximising revenue generation.
The anti-smuggling onslaught, which sought to suppress the menace to the barest minimum, resulted in 83 seizures across various commands.
“The NCS recorded 83 seizures across various commands, including 170,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 3,083 bags of foreign rice.
“The seizure also includes 1,014 parcels of cannabis sativa, 23 vehicles, and other contraband, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦975,066,791.65.
“The operation over the months has led to the interception of seven PMS trucks, the sealing of 12 retail outlets, and the seizure of 466,000 litres of PMS and 23 vehicles”
“The NCS also intensified its “Operation Whirlwind” (OPWW) to combat the smuggling of petroleum products, especially in border states.
“The operation over the months has led to the interception of seven PMS trucks, the sealing of 12 retail outlets, and the seizure of 466,000 litres of PMS and 23 vehicles,” he said.
Speaking further, the image maker highlighted that investigations have led to the prosecution of seven suspects, while three marketers were fined by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), when sealed, filling stations were transferred for more appropriate action.
Providing a breakdown of the contributions of the Nigeria Police at the briefing, the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that backdating fireman licenses to circumvent the ban on firearms by the force remains fraudulent.
Adejobi said the ban on the use of arms and ammunition in Nigeria was still in place and urged the public not to be deceived by arms dealers who say they can backdate licenses.
“Don’t be deceived because there are certain individuals who would go and backdate the license and give it to you; they must have extorted you to even issue the license to you; it’s still fake.
“Don’t allow anybody to lead you in committing a criminal offence in the issue of arms,” he warned.
He emphasized that the force will be very aggressive in going after the possession of illegal firearms across the country.
According to Adejobi, the force has presently arrested 97 members of the proscribed Shiite group, following their face-off with police, where two of its personnel were killed.
He warned that attacking the police or any other security operatives while discharging their constitutional duties would no longer be tolerated.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Pythrocin distributed by Pinnacle Health Pharmaceuticals Ltd
2024-09-07