Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has intensified patrol activities to contain smugglers antics on the creeks and waterways.
The Command has also made huge seizures in the past few weeks.
Among the seized items are 30 large bags of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, commonly known as petrol, concealed by die-hard smugglers.
The Customs Area Controller, CAC, of the Command, Comptroller Olugboyega Peters, disclosed this, saying the prohibited items were seized by his team on the waterways through intelligence.
He said, “Our team went on information patrol and seized the items through credible intelligence.
“The criminals concealed petrol in large bags, in order to escape security checks. On sighting our operatives, they jumped into the water.
“We seized 30 large bags, and each contains 150 litres of petrol, making a total of 4,500 litres. Imagine the level of economic sabotage”
According to Comptroller Peters, “These smugglers thought since the government made a pronouncement on lock-down due to coronavirus pandemic that they can carry out their nefarious activities unhindered”
“These economic saboteurs are adamant. We have sensitised the people enough, even up to traditional rulers.
“We shall leave no stone unturned in enforcing the law”
Comptroller Peters further revealed that his team is on 24 hours of patrol surveillance on waterways to curb illicit activities.