In a significant display of integrity and patriotism, officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) from the Sokoto/Zamfara Command rejected a bribe of N1.5 million offered by suspected vandals of railway tracks.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts of the NCS to combat corruption and protect national assets.
On June 8, 2024, operatives from the command successfully intercepted a notorious cartel involved in the vandalization of railway tracks.
The operation led to the seizure of a truck carrying a 20-foot container filled with stolen railway tracks and the arrest of three suspects at Kajiji along Kebbi Road.
During a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Sokoto, the Comptroller of Customs for the Sokoto/Zamfara Commands, Kamal Muhammed, detailed the events leading up to the arrest.
He stated, “The suspects could not provide evidence of allocation from the Federal Ministry of Transport and instead attempted to bribe our officers with N1.5 million, making an advance cash offer of N300,000.”
In accordance with national security protocols, the suspects, along with the truck, its contents, and the N300,000 cash, will be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and prosecution.
The NSCDC is the agency responsible for protecting critical national assets, and this collaboration underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling such crimes.
In addition to this operation, the Sokoto/Zamfara Command has been actively involved in curbing smuggling activities, particularly the illegal transportation of petroleum products.
Comptroller Muhammed highlighted another successful operation where the command intercepted 11,270 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, which was being smuggled.
“In compliance with the Comptroller General of Customs’ directive to seal all routes used for the smuggling of petroleum products, the Zone B whirlwind tactical team, reinforced by officers and men of the Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, intercepted 11,270 litres of PMS,”
Muhammed explained. He emphasized the detrimental effects of such smuggling activities on the nation’s supply chain and security.
To mitigate the economic impact, the intercepted PMS will be auctioned to the public at a rate of 180 naira per litre, following approval from the Comptroller General of Customs.
“In line with extant laws, the seized PMS will be auctioned today at a token of 180 naira per litre,” Muhammed announced. This follows a similar auction last week by the Whirlwind Zone B tactical team, which sold 20,142 litres of PMS to the public at Kebbi Area Command.
This incident is not isolated. In August 2023, the Tincan Island Command of the NCS rejected a N50 million bribe from a smuggler attempting to import tramadol and other illicit drugs.
Customs Area Comptroller Mr. Adekunle Oloyede disclosed that the suspect, Boniface Ike, admitted ownership of two 40-foot containers filled with the illegal drugs.
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