Comptroller General, CG, Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,says differentials in the pump price of fuel in Nigeria and other neighborring countries has continued to encourage smuggling of the petroleum product.
The CG, who disclosed in Ilorin on Monday while on a visit to the Area Command, said the Customs service has incorporated the use of geospatial imaging in the fight against smuggling in the country.
Speaking on why petroleum smuggling has persisted despite removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, he said that the pump price in the country still offers gains for smugglers when paddled across the border.
According to him, despite fuel pump price in the country selling below N1,000, making it one of the lowest price globally, the higher costs of the product in Benin and Cameroon, two neighboring countries, makes the smuggling of petroleum lucrative.
Pump price of fuel in Benin, said the CG, 695 CFA, approximately N1, 700.In Cameroon, the pump prices goes for a over N2, 000, he added.
The NCS boss revealed that the service has incorporated use of technology in fighting the menace.
“We have since begun using technology such as geospatial imaging to track smugglers.
He explained that this involved real time satellite images used to pinpoint movement of smugglers through which interceptions and arrests have been made.
