The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has sealed filling stations and fined no fewer than three entrepreneurs for allegedly receiving stolen fuels.
This was following operations carried out by the personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service in August 2024.
The operations, based on a report containing the achievements of the service for August, led to the interception of seven petrol vehicles, the sealing of 12 shops, and the seizure of 466,000 litres of petrol and 23 automobiles.
The NCS added that seven suspects had been prosecuted after an investigation into the matter.
“The NCS additionally intensified its ‘Operation Whirlwind’ to fight the smuggling of petroleum merchandise, particularly in border states. The operation over the months has led to the interception of seven PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) vehicles, the sealing of 12 shops, and the seizure of 466,000 litres of PMS and 23 automobiles.
“Investigations have led to the prosecution of seven suspects, and three entrepreneurs have been fined by the NMDPRA, with sealed filling stations transferred for additional motion.”
In response to the report, the service additionally made 83 seizures, together with 3,083 luggage of international rice, 170,000 litres of petrol, 1,014 parcels of hashish sativa, 23 automobiles, and different contraband gadgets, with a complete Obligation Paid Worth of N975,066,791.65 in August.
It acknowledged, “To suppress smuggling to the barest minimal, the NCS recorded 83 seizures throughout numerous instructions, together with 170,000 litres of PMS; 3,083 luggage of international rice, 1,014 parcels of hashish sativa, 23 automobiles, and different contraband, with a complete Obligation Paid Worth of N975,066,7.”
The service additionally mentioned it generated a complete of N293.3bn from import and excise duties in August 2024.
A breakdown of the figures confirmed that N277.5bn was collected from import duties, whereas excise duties accounted for N15.8bn.
These revenues, based on the report, mirrored the NCS’s ongoing efforts to spice up the federal government’s earnings via the efficient monitoring and enforcement of customs rules.
“In August 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service achieved important milestones throughout key areas, together with income era, enforcement actions, commerce facilitation, and strategic stakeholders’ engagement.
“The NCS collected N277.5bn in import duties and N15.8bn in excise duties, reflecting its dedication to income maximization,” the service acknowledged.