Smuggling of Fuel Reduced Significantly Following Fuel Subsidy Removal, Reports Adamawa/Taraba Customs Command

The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has revealed that the elimination of fuel subsidy has resulted in a notable decline in the smuggling of premium motor spirits, commonly known as fuel. According to a statement by Salisu Abdullahi, the Customs Area Controller overseeing the command, this information was shared during a press briefing held over the weekend to discuss the command’s activities in May.

During the specified period, the command seized a total of 14,980 liters of premium motor spirit, which was found packed in drums and jerry cans. Abdullahi informed the journalists that the confiscated petrol would be promptly auctioned. However, due to the highly flammable nature of premium motor spirit, a significant portion had already been disposed of in adherence to the standard operating procedure. The proceeds obtained from the auction were duly remitted to the Federation Account. He emphasized that the removal of the subsidy has played a crucial role in the remarkable reduction in the smuggling of PMS, and as a result, the product is now readily available at all filling stations.

Abdullahi further disclosed that the command had also conducted 16 seizures of various contraband items during the same period. The list of confiscated goods included 494×50kg bags of dry blended NPK fertilizer, three vehicles (a Toyota Starlet and two Toyota Corollas) utilized for transporting foreign parboiled rice, 90x50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice, and 960 pieces of foreign soaps. The total duty paid value of these seizures amounted to NN22.9m, as stated by the area controller.

Elaborating on the confiscation of NPK fertilizer, Abdullahi highlighted the restrictions imposed on the product’s movement, particularly in the Northeastern states. He addressed concerns about the apprehension of the fertilizer, considering its high demand during the farming season to enhance crop yields. He clarified that the Nigeria Customs Service is among the agencies responsible for enforcing the Federal Government’s policy on fertilizer movement. The seizure of dry blended NPK fertilizer was based on the limitations outlined in the National Fertilizer Quality (Control) Act of 2019, Section 10, which restricts its transportation, especially into the Northeastern states.