Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has announced the seizure of 26,950 litres of Premium Motor Spirits, PMS, commonly known as petrol, worth over N19 million, being smuggled out of the country through Ogun State.
The NCS’ Special Operations team, “Operation Whirlwind”, intercepted the products in various operations in the last one week, as the team seized 978 kegs of 25 liters each, totaling 26,950 liters of petrol.
According to the National Coordinator of “Operation Whirlwind”, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, the seizures were made in four different operations within the state.
Ejibunu warned smugglers to desist from the illegal activity or face the consequences, nothing that the operation was a joint effort between the NCS and the Office of the National Security Adviser to combat illegal exportation of petroleum products.
He said: “Recall, just two weeks ago, the Nigeria Customs Service, ably led by the CGC Adewale Adeniyi, in close collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, set up Operation Whirlwind Taskforce team. This initiative was conceived to end the ever-growing monster of unwholesome illegal exportation of petroleum products.
“Competent and dedicated officers that make up the squad were drafted from various Customs formations and given the prerequisite training before being dispatched to the four Customs zones (A,B,C, and D). In about two weeks of operation, Operation Whirlwind team, Zone ‘A’ axis, intercepted 26,950 litres of PMS worth N19 million.”
According to him, the menace posed by smugglers on the Nigerian economy can not be overemphasized, hence the need for synergy and cooperation with other patriotic government agencies in this fight.
“There is a huge distortion in the supply chain of petroleum products to designated states and filling stations due to diversion to neighbouring countries.”
He added: “Details of the operation include 121 kegs of PMS of 25 litres each equivalent to 3,025 litres at Oyinkansola Global concept along Badagry-Seme Road in Lagos State; 77 drums of PMS equivalent to 15,400 litres at Seayab Petroleum along Imeko-Obada Road in Ogun state. The means of conveyance is a truck with the Reg. No 95D4244D caught on Friday, 14 June, 2024.
“Others are; 100 kegs of PMS at 25 litres each equivalent to 2,500 liters at Quawiyan Resource Petroleum Nig. Ltd along Owode-Atan Road in Ogun state. Means of conveyance: One Toyota Camry with No 4TIBE3KXU672540 on Saturday, 8 June 2024; 141 kegs of PMS at 25 litres each equivalent to 6025 litres at Julanky Oil & Gas along Owode /Ilaro road in Ogun state. Means of conveyance 2 Toyota Avalon cars with 4TIBE28B72U266597 and 4TIBF28B33U298190, on Saturday, 8 June 2024.
“This seizure is a significant milestone in the fight against petroleum products smuggling, which distorts the supply chain and causes huge losses to the Nigerian economy.”
