Intercept N48.5m Worth of Petroleum Products

Comptroller Husseini Kolawole Ejibunu,  National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind has recorded another seizure of Petroleum products in Adamawa, Zone D, of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Briefing newsmen, Comptroller Eibunu said “Today marks another milestone in our fight against smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across Nigeria’s borders, you may recall the maiden press conference granted by the CGC in Yola, Adamawa State in zone ‘D’, two weeks after inauguration of the special operations on 31st May, 2024. During that press conference, the CGC displayed a combined total seizure of 280, 135 liters of PMS worth over 195.5million”

“Here in Yola, headquarters of Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, we showcase to the general public another milestone recorded by the operatives of Operation Whirlwind in the Zone D axis, which is jointly coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, and the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in synergy with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority,  NMDPRA”

“Today we have recorded another seizure of 1,481 (one thousand four hundred and eighty-one Kegs and 20 drums of PMS, containing twenty-five liters each and two hundred and twenty each litres respectively, which translates too (41,425) forty-one thousand four hundred and twenty-five liters of PMS together with nine (9) means of conveyance”

“The cumulative Duty Paid Value, DPV, is N48,547,500,  (forty-eight million, five hundred and forty-seven thousand, five hundred naira) only. These interceptions were made in different dates and locations across Mubi-Sahuda road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha road, Agwuwa Tana- Bakin Kogi axis and other places within the zone”

Comptroller Husseini Kolawole Ejibunu disclosed further that  operatives monitored the supply and distribution chain right from the depot of loading up to the final destination (Retail Outlets) to ensure PMS reach its manifested destinations.

“In line with the CGC’s mandate to curtail the smuggling and diversion of the PMS products, operation whirlwind had repositioned all its operatives across the frontiers despite all threats such as assault and harassment from the economic saboteurs as seen and witnessed in some social platforms. This will not hinder us from discharging our statutory duties. We will not relent in this fight until we bring smuggling activities to a halt”

He assured that the  fight is against illicit oil marketers and the economic saboteurs as the team is out to facilitate legitimate trade as enshrined in the NCS Act, 2023.  Noting that all legitimate oil marketers are encouraged to go out with their normal businesses without fear of molestation and confiscation of their products.

“The successes recorded so far is predicated on the enabling environment and the unwavering efforts of the Management of Nigeria Customs Service under the stewardship of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR. The cooperation and strong support from Adamawa/Taraba Area Command and other units of the service such as FOU ‘D’, CIU, SIS alongside other security agencies equally played a vital role in this accomplishments”

“We urge members of the PMS smuggling cartels to have a re-think and better go into legitimate businesses because we will continue to go after them as economic saboteurs, as there is no place for their illegal activities”

“The illegal exportation of Nigeria’s PMS to our neighboring countries will not be tolerated by Nigeria customs service” Comptroller Ejibubu said.