We’ll combat economic saboteurs, Customs boss declares

In its determination to bring activities of economic saboteurs to the bearest minimum, the Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Adamawa/Taraba command, Garba Bashir says his command has been diligently reviewing and strengthening its robust measures to combat the illicit trade.

I want to make it clear to the smugglers that we will counter every move they make and we wil not relent ni this anti-smuggling crusade until we bring smuggling activities to the bearest minimum Adamawa and Taraba States.

Comptroller Garba Bashir stated this during a press briefing in Yola, he said ” the command’s anti-smuggling operations unit efforts have yielded positive results through swift intervention of the Officers that led to the uncovered illicit trade arrangements by some economic saboteurs”.

According to him “the smugglers on sighting our officers, took to their heels and abandoned the 85 drums filled with PMS and another seven hundred and ninety- five (795×25L) Jerry Cans of PMS were unearthed in a bush path at location in Sahuda, Nigera-Cameroon border in the early hours of Saturday, 6″ July, 2024”.

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Stressing that the Adamawa/Taraba command is doing everything within the law to combat smuggling and any unlawful trade practices along the command’s borderlines which is in furtherance of their core mandate that ranges from Revenue generation, trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling inter alia as stipulated in section 4 of NCS Act 2023.

Adding the Command has repositioned all machineries across its area of operation in collaboration with other sister agencies for effective border management.

The Comptroller noted that the Nigeria Customs Service is focused on growing economy by improving trade facilitation in the country according to the global best practice.

“The Command, within the same period intercepted a Carina E car with a hidden compartment loaded with PMS following credible information along Girei-Wuro Boki axis on Saturday, 6” July, 2024 at about 1100hrs and other numerous records of successful operations across the Command’s frontiers”.

While assuring Nigerians that the command remains committed to sustaining this momentum, he announced that the Command recorded seventeen (17) seizures of various items during the period under consideration with aggregate Duty Paid Value (DPV) of thirty-six million, nine hundred and fifty-two thousand, three hundred and forty-two naira fifty kobo only (N36,952,342.50).

The seized goods are 43,935Litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)packed in 1,071 x 25L Jerry Cans and 85 x 200L drums, one used Tricycle, one used Motorcycle and, Two used vehicles with one having a hidden compartment, the means of conveyance of some of the seized PMS.”

“I urge you,the general public to support our efforts by report any suspicious activities timely as this fight is not one-man business. Together we can combat smuggling and promote economic growth.” Bashir Said

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE