Operation Whirlwind Cracks Down on Smuggling, seize 20,100 Liters of Petrol Worth N18 Million In One Week
In a significant crackdown, the Operation Whirlwind team of the Western Zone of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted a substantial quantity of 20,100 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), valued at approximately N18 million, within the past week alone.
Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, National Coordinator of the Whirlwind Team, revealed to journalists in Lagos, that despite a brief hiatus due to the nationwide protests, the team has resumed operations and is already making significant seizures. Ejibunu disclosed that the team has intercepted substantial quantities of smuggled goods, marking a successful return to action.
Comptrollers Ejibunu and Kolade, the dynamic duo from the Seme/Badagry command, made a notable announcement on the sidelines of a briefing at the Customs Training College in Ikeja. Comptroller Ejibunu revealed that just one week after the reorganization of the Operation Whirlwind team, Zone ‘A’ Axis, a remarkable seizure was made, comprising 804 kegs of 25 litres each of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
50 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS were intercepted at Ere River, Ado Odo in Ogun state. 265 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS were evacuated from a house in Imeko, Ogun state. 425 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS were intercepted in a Filling Station called “God is Sufficient Petroleum” in Idiroko. 27 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS intercepted in a Mazda car along Idiroko in Ogun state.
37 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS intercepted in a bush path abandoned by smugglers in Idiroko.
Further details on the seizures revealed that five vehicles were also impounded in connection with the smuggling attempts. The total haul consisted of 804 kegs of 25 litres each, equivalent to 20,100 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N18 million
The revitalized efforts of the officers, guided by actionable intelligence, led to a thorough sweep of identified flashpoints, yielding the impressive results mentioned earlier. We urge the media to join us in highlighting the detrimental impact of economic sabotage on our nation’s growth, prosperity, and the well-being of its citizens. It is imperative that we collectively confront and defeat these enemies of the state, who seek to undermine our economic progress.
At this point, my message to the smugglers is simple, no hiding place for them except they embrace legitimate trade.
It is absolutely gratifying to welcome you all to today’s press briefing which is aimed at bringing to the fore another giant stride recorded by the team, south west chapter of the operation.
Recall, on the 26″ of July, 2024, we successfully did a press briefing in this same venue during which a total of 31,740 litres of Premium Motor Spirit valued at N25million was showcased to the Nation.
Shortly after the last press briefing in Lagos, there were National Security concerns as a result of nationwide protests and during the period, officers and men of the pactare were withdrawn to beef up security around sensitive Government’s facilities considered as soft targets for the protesters to attack.
Coming out from the protest, the Service Promotion Exams took center stage when eligible officers attended. Both events stalled the operations of the team nationwide until last week.
Just yesterday, stakeholders in the Petroleum Sector gathered to brainstorm in the office of the National Security Adviser over burning issues surrounding PMS diversion, illegal exportation of PMS to neighboring countries and the way forward.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, was also in attendance. The take-away from the meeting, was a renewed vigour to avert diversion, illegal exportation of the product and ensuring economic saboteurs are brought to book.
Credence must be given to the National Security Adviser who is always thinking outside the box to root out the kingpins behind this oil theft. He chaired the stakeholders meeting yesterday in his office. He encouraged us not to relent.
In the same vein, the chief executive of Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) also attended the meeting while lending his full support and that of the Agency towards realizing the objectives of the operation in whatever capacity.
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