Crime

Stolen Fuel: NMDPRA Shuts Down Filling Stations, Fines Marketers

Written by Agboola Oluwafemi on September 17, 2024

News Views: 295

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has sealed several filling stations and fined at least three marketers for allegedly receiving stolen fuels.

This action followed operations conducted by personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service in August 2024.

According to a report highlighting the service’s achievements for August, these operations led to the interception of seven petrol trucks, the sealing of 12 retail outlets, and the seizure of 466,000 litres of petrol and 23 vehicles.

The NCS also confirmed that seven suspects were prosecuted following an investigation into the matter. “The NCS intensified its ‘Operation Whirlwind’ to combat the smuggling of petroleum products, particularly in border states. Over the months, the operation has resulted in the interception of seven Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) trucks, the sealing of 12 retail outlets, and the seizure of 466,000 litres of PMS and 23 vehicles.

“Investigations have led to the prosecution of seven suspects, and three marketers have been fined by the NMDPRA, with sealed filling stations transferred for further action.”

The report also noted that the service made 83 seizures, which included 3,083 bags of foreign rice, 170,000 litres of petrol, 1,014 parcels of cannabis sativa, 23 vehicles, and other contraband items, with a total Duty Paid Value of N975,066,791.65 in August. It stated, “To suppress smuggling to the barest minimum, the NCS recorded 83 seizures across various commands, including 170,000 litres of PMS; 3,083 bags of foreign rice, 1,014 parcels of cannabis sativa, 23 vehicles, and other contraband, with a total Duty Paid Value of N975,066,7.”

The service also reported generating a total of N293.3 billion from import and excise duties in August 2024.

A breakdown of the figures shows that N277.5 billion was collected from import duties, while excise duties accounted for N15.8 billion.

These revenues, according to the report, reflect the NCS’s continued efforts to boost the government’s income through effective monitoring and enforcement of customs regulations.

“In August 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service achieved significant milestones across key areas, including revenue generation, enforcement activities, trade facilitation, and strategic stakeholder engagement.

“The NCS collected N277.5 billion in import duties and N15.8 billion in excise duties, reflecting its commitment to revenue maximization,” the service stated.