The Customs Comptroller for Adamawa and Taraba States Command, Garba Bashir, has vowed to intensify efforts against smuggling activities in the region. Under his leadership, the command has generated N195,719,930 in duty-paid value from seized petroleum products over the past four months.
In a recent address to journalists in Yola, Comptroller Bashir emphasized the significant challenges posed by the illegal exportation of petroleum products, which has caused immense hardship for citizens and the country as a whole.
“This is a critical moment in our national history, and it’s crucial that everyone supports the government’s efforts. We cannot afford to make mistakes during this time,” he stated.
Bashir reiterated that the persistent smuggling of petroleum products remains a serious threat to the nation’s economy and the well-being of its citizens. “This illicit trade undermines our domestic fuel supply chain and poses a direct risk to our national security,” he added.
Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s well-crafted economic reforms aimed at ensuring a stable domestic fuel supply and revitalizing the energy sector, Bashir pointed out that some unscrupulous individuals continue to engage in smuggling activities, driven by greed and profit. These smugglers are undermining national efforts through increasingly complex operations along the borders.
“These smuggling activities have a devastating impact on the economy, depriving millions of Nigerians of essential products that should be for domestic use,” he noted, explaining that these products were being illegally diverted to neighboring countries via unauthorized routes.
He emphasized, “Let it be clear that the Nigeria Customs Service is committed to protecting our national economy and securing our borders,” and vowed to continue deploying additional resources and enforcing stricter measures to ensure that smugglers are unable to operate within the command’s jurisdiction.
Over the past few months, the command has also seized numerous tankers, trailers, and other vehicles transporting petroleum products and illegal goods, including elephant tusks and alcoholic beverages. For the first time, suspects have been taken to the Federal High Court in Yola for prosecution.