Barely two weeks after the Nigeria Customs Service launched “Operation Whirlwind” – a decisive onslaught against illegal trade of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, says the Service has started recording massive turnout in curtailing the menace of PMS smuggling across the federation.
The Service seized 280,135 litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N115 million, its Comptroller-General, said.
Adeniyi stated this at a news conference, on Monday in Yola, Adamawa.
He said that personnel of the Service seized the products in the last seven days across the country.
“In the past 2 weeks, we have received credible intelligence on the relative stability of the
price of PMS around the Border States, this is easily attributed to disruptions in the operations of smugglers.”
According to him, the operatives attached to the initiative had, within seven days of non-stop task, intercepted a total of 150,950 litres of PMS, valued at N105,965,391, at various locations nationwide, highlighting, “On Friday 31 May 2024. A total of 45,000 litres of PMS in a tanker was seized at Mubi, Adamawa State.”
He added that “On Saturday, 1 June 2024, a total of 45,000 litres of PMS in a tanker was also seized at Mubi, Adamawa, while between Monday, 3 June 2024, and Friday, 7 June 2024, a total of 92,928 litres of PMS in 25 litres of different sizes of jerry cans at Mubi, Song-Wuroboki, Mubi-Sahuda road and Gidan Madara – Sahuda road, in Adamawa state and others in Illela, Sokoto and Agbaragba creek in Mfum border of Cross River State.
The feat, he said was achieved through intensive operations by the Operation Whirlwind which seized 105,950 liters while the Federal Operating Units and Marine Commands seized 120,185 liters, respectively.
According to him, smuggling is sabotage to the Nigerian economy hence the need for cooperation of security agencies and individuals to curb the menace.
“These activities, if left unchecked, could further deteriorate the country’s economic situation and exacerbate current foreign exchange challenges.
“The influx of unaccounted foreign currency could be channelled into funding illegitimate activities, including the support of non-state actors engaged in criminal activities against the Nigerian state.
“These issues have serious implications for national security, making it imperative to check, curtail, and dismantle. Achieving this requires the cooperation and collaboration of patriotic agencies,” he said.
Adeniyi said that Operation Whirlwind of the Customs Area Commands remained vigilant against illicit activities of smugglers targeting petroleum products.
The Customs boss said the nationwide operation was aimed at ensuring that Nigerians enjoy the full benefits of fuel price deregulation in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.
“Defend the national currency and reduce pressures that may be attributed to the activities of smugglers.
“Identify, dismantle and disrupt cartels of smugglers operating within the ecosystem. Raise awareness of the local communities and solicit their support to achieve these objectives,” he said.
Also speaking, Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI) of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), lauded the personnel over the development.
While describing cross border diversion of petrol as economic sabotage, Ukoha reitrated commitment of the Sevice to collaborate with security agencies to end smuggling in the country,
