Fuel smuggling in border towns boom as traders make N55 per litre

The smuggling of petrol across Nigerian borders has increased as illegal traders make N55 per litre on the product, Vanguardreports.

Investigations at Idi Iroko and other border communities in Ogun State over the weekend, showed that a litre of petrol was sold at N200 at the boundary and as much as N250 per litre in Benin Republic. This means that a greater part of Nigeria’s imported and subsidised fuel is illegally used to meet demand in other West African nations, especially Benin, Togo and Liberia. Many illegal traders were seen retailing the product in bottles, which was highly patronised by motorcyclists, taxi drivers and others in the area.

Mr. Joseph Attah, spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service said that the smuggling of petrol and other petroleum products should be perceived as a crime against the state. According to him, the organisation has carried out various patrols to tackle the menace in the bordering communities. He said that the Customs can do more if members of the public, including communities are willing to provide useful information.