On Thursday, the Nigeria Customs Service auctioned seized Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to the public in Adamawa State for N360 per litre.
The move was said to be part of the Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s plans to curb the smuggling of the essential commodity.
The Area Comptroller of Customs, Adamawa/Taraba Command, Garba Bature Bashir disclosed to journalists that the petrol was impounded at the Nigeria/Cameroon border while being smuggled into the Republic of Cameroon.
This comes as pump prices of the essential commodity is being dispense at N1090 per litre at retail outlets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets in the state.
The commodity is sold for between N1200 and N1300 by independent marketers in the state.
“It is worthy to note that the PMS showcased here today were apprehended from various borderlines in Adamawa and Taraba States and will be auctioned to the general public immediately after this briefing due to its inflammable nature in accordance with the Nigerian Customs Service Act, 2023,” Bashir said.
He noted that three vehicles used to convey the seized petrol were also impounded along with flour, parboiled rice and used clothing.
The Comptroller, who described smuggling as economic sabotage, urged the perpetrators to desist and assured that the Service was determined to crush the illicit business.
A total of 33,595 litres of petrol valued at N71,760,930 was seized, according to the Comptroller.
