Operation Whirlwind of Adamawa-Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disclosed that its men and officers intercepted 280,135 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol worth over N195.5 million.
Briefing journalists, yesterday, at the Customs House, Yola, Adamawa State, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind Comptroller Husseini Kolawole Ejibunu, said the seizure marked another milestone in the fight against smuggling in the country.
Ejibunu said he addressed a press conference in Lagos, Kebbi and Calabar in zones A, B and C during which he showcased huge seizures of petroleum products, adding: “This is in continuation of our resolve to disrupt and dismantle the network of cartels and smugglers of petroleum products across Nigeria.
Stressing that the operatives of Operation Whirlwind in Zone D axis recorded another milestone, he said the operation was jointly coordinated by the ONSA and NCS in synergy with oil and gas sector regulatory authority, the NMDPRA.
“Today, we have another seizure of 1,481 kegs and 20 drums of PMS, containing 25 liters each and 220 litres each respectively, amounting to 41,425 liters of PMS and nine means of conveyance, with a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N48.547 million.
“These interceptions were made on different dates and in locations across Mubi-Sahuda road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha road, Agwuwa Tana-Bakin Kogi axis and other places within the zone. Our operatives monitor the supply and distribution chain right from the depot of loading up to the final destination (retail outlets) in collaboration with the NMDPRA to ensure PMS reach its manifested destinations,” he stated.
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With an estimated street value of N195.5 million, he stressed that Operation Whirlwind’s operations are in line with the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s mandate to curb the smuggling and diversion of the PMS products, operation whirlwind had repositioned all its operatives across the frontiers despite all threats such as assault and harassment from the economic saboteurs as seen and witnessed in some social platforms.
Ejibunu assured patriotic Nigerians and genuine oil marketers that the fight was against illicit oil marketers and economic saboteurs and that the team was all out to facilitate legitimate trade as enshrined in the NCS Act 2023.
“All legitimate oil marketers are encouraged to carry out their normal businesses without fear of molestation and confiscation of their products. The successes recorded so far are predicated on the enabling environment and the unwavering efforts of the management of Nigeria Customs Service under Adeniyi’s stewardship.
“The cooperation and strong support from Adamawa-Taraba Area Command and other units of the service such as FOU ‘D’, CIU, SIS and other security agencies also played a vital role in our accomplishments.
“We urge members of the PMS smuggling cartels to have a re-think and go into legitimate businesses because we will continue to go after them as economic saboteurs, as there is no place for their illegal activities. The Nigeria Customs Service will not condone illegal exportation of petroleum to our neighboring countries,” he stressed.
