By Baron Ike
Petrol stations operating 20 kilometers from any border post across Nigeria can no longer be supplied with content, the Nigerian Customs Service has said.
It is believed within the Customs circles that such gas stations are used for smuggling purposes.
The federal government of Nigeria has shut all land borders since August in order to fight arms and ammunition infiltration, Smuggling and human trafficking.
Memo
Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali,( rtd), gave the stopage of supply of content order on Wednesday in Abuja in a memo released by Chidi A, the Deputy Comptroller General Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation Customs.
The memo stated that petroleum tankers must not be allowed to discharge contents within said distances- 20 kilometers.
The circular, dated November 6, 2019, titled, ‘EII/2019/Circular No. 027 Suspension of Petroleum Products Supply To Filling Stations Within 20 Kilometers To All Borders’, addressed to “all zonal coordinators, operation swift response, sector coordinator 1,2,3 & 4, customs area controllers, coordinators CGC strike force teams, coordinator, headquarters strike force teams and all marine commands.
The memo added: “The comptroller general of Customs has directed that henceforth no petroleum products no matter the tank size is permitted to be discharged in any filling station within 20 kilometers to the border.
“Consequently, you are to ensure strict and immediate compliance please.”