Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, through Operation Whirlwind, has dismantled a coordinated fuel smuggling network operating along the Southwest border corridor, seizing 14,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, in a major enforcement breakthrough.
Briefing newsmen, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abubakar Aliyu, said the operation was driven by actionable intelligence and sustained surveillance.
“Over the past few weeks, our operatives, acting on credible intelligence, have successfully dismantled a coordinated network of smugglers engaged in the illegal export of PMS to neighbouring countries,” he said.
Aliyu disclosed that the seizures comprised 544 jerrycans of PMS, each containing 24 litres, intercepted across key smuggling hotspots including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, and the Seme-Badagry axis.
“During the exercise, a total of 544 jerrycans, each containing 24 litres, were seized, amounting to 14,875 litres,” he added, noting that the Duty Paid Value, DPV, of the confiscated product stands at N14.87 million.
In a move to safeguard economic value and prevent re-diversion into illegal channels, the seized fuel was auctioned at subsidised rates under strict regulatory supervision.
“This auction is being carried out with the participation of relevant government agencies, security personnel, and media representatives to ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity in the disposal process,” Aliyu stated.
He also credited improved inter-agency collaboration for the success of the operation, particularly the role of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
