In the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State, the Federal Operation Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has stopped two tankers carrying 80,055 liters of adulterated diesel.
Hussein Ejibunu, the unit’s acting comptroller, said in a statement that the truck drivers fled when they saw the customs agents on patrol and that the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency authorities had received the petroleum cargo.
After NMDPRA took a sample and analyzed it, the Customs chief claimed that the petroleum product was of inferior quality and that the papers used to transport it were also fraudulent.
The Acting Controller provided a breakdown of the seizures and specifics of the vehicles involved, noting that one tanker had the registration number DBT 599 XA and was loaded with 44,450 liters of diesel while the other, with the registration number USL 561 ZC, contained 35,605 liters.
Ejibunu issued a warning that the FOU Zone A area will always be off-limits to those who smuggle contraband, avoid paying taxes, or engage in other criminal activities.
He exhorted Nigerians to uphold their nation’s values and avoid engaging in any type of economic activity that violates the law.
In response, Patrick Musa, a representative of the NMDPRA, stated that the products were found to be out of specification and fell short of standards accepted for usage in Nigeria.
He continued by saying that the product could not have been taken from any authorized depots located within the nation.
Musa praised the NCS for the seizure, which he said marked the successful start of a collaborative effort between the NMDPRA and the NCS.