The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Operation Whirlwind has intercepted 67,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol from smugglers valued at N84, 870,000,000 in one month.
This comes few months into the ongoing operations WHIRLWIND, which covers Niger and Kwara States, as the country grapples with shortage of petrol.
Public Relations Officer of the unit, Chado Zakari in a statement made available to Thelensng on Monday said appreciable results have been recorded, particularly in tackling smuggling of PMS.
The exercise, which commenced in May, 2024 involves the collaboration of the NCS being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
According to Zakari, the operation, through the leadership of Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu took a definitive step to put Nigeria on the path to suppress smuggling of PMS to neighbouring country.
He disclosed that one suspect was apprehended in connection with the smuggling activities and has been granted administrative bail.
The statement partly read: “The operation WHIRLWIND exercise has no doubt saved the country huge resources and enhanced national security as the smuggling of PMS out of the country through Kwara land borders has been considerably curtailed.
“Our operatives comprising of enforcement officers and Customs Intelligent Unit (CIU) covering Niger/Kwara axis has continued to record large number of seizures and arrests.
“On 17th and 18th September, 2024, respectively, My team along Gwanara axis of the state, intercepted 38 and 61 Kegs of 25 liters of PMS respectively, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) en route Benin Republic with a duty paid value of Two Million Nine hundred and seventy thousand naira (N2, 970,000.00)
“Similarly, on Monday, 30th Sept, 2024, a team of officers led by Chief Superintendent of Customs Waziri Mohammed at about 1130pm around Gure/kusoboso intercepted 90 kegs of 25 liters of PMS with a duty paid value of Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand (N2,700,000.00)”.
Other notable seizures made by the operatives include two trucks with registration number FST-524 XG and JJJ-14-XQ respectively, stocked with 33,000 liters each of PMS all intended for smuggling worth N79, 200, 000.000.
The two tankers has been handed over to Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) for further investigation.
Coordinator of the Unit, Comptroller Ejibunu explained that the action of the smugglers contravenes Section 245 & 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
He warned smugglers to desist from their wicked acts or risk arrest.
According to him, the service has engaged with stakeholders, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA), and security agencies, to combat fuel smuggling.
Ejibunu further stated that other industry stakeholders, such as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), and Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), have also committed to supporting the operation.
“We recorded this sterling feat largely due to the leadership style and support of the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and the entire management team of the Service.
“People are suffering due to artificial scarcity, but they are busy smuggling these petroleum products outside the country to make money. It’s either they stop this act or we continue to arrest them. We have zero tolerance for this act”, he added.
