The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Operations Whirlwind Zone A has intercepted 849 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at N30.2 million, as part of its intensified crackdown on smuggling activities.
This was disclosed by Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu, the National Coordinator of Operations Whirlwind, during a press briefing at the Customs College in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday.
Comptroller Ejibunu highlighted the unit’s relentless efforts in combating petroleum product smuggling across the country.
“Operation Whirlwind has held the smugglers of petroleum products by the jugular, giving them no breathing space for their illegal activities,” he stated.
He referenced a similar operation about five weeks ago, during which several seizures of PMS were displayed at the same venue. He noted the positive outcomes of these operations, emphasizing their role in ensuring the availability of fuel at filling stations nationwide.
“Today, we have another seizure of 849 kegs of PMS, each containing 25 liters, along with two means of conveyance. The total value amounts to N30,225,000 at the NNPCL retail price. This was achieved under the command of Assistant Comptroller Mahmood Bello, the Team Commander,” he said.
Comptroller Ejibunu added that the intelligence-driven operation has been successful without any recorded loss of officers since its inception.
However, he acknowledged challenges such as limited manpower and difficulties in covering remote areas like Borno, Genbu, Kan Iya Nka in Taraba, Samia, Meiha, and Zaria Kalakala. Despite these constraints, Operations Whirlwind has intercepted loaded vehicles along riverbanks, preventing smugglers from transferring petrol into boats for illicit transportation.
He reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to blocking all illegal smuggling routes for petroleum products leading to neighboring countries, thereby safeguarding the nation’s resources.