Customs Operation Whirlwind Intercepts 39,425 litres Petrol Around Southwest, Gets NMDPRA Commendation
The Nigeria Customs Service through its Operation Whirlwind, a targeted enforcement drive against the smuggling of petroleum products outside Nigeria, announced on Friday that it has intercepted 1,577 Jerrycans of petrol, 25 litres each, amounting to 39,425 litres Southwest and arrested four suspected smugglers.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi who disclosed this while showcasing some seized PMS products at the Customs Training College, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja Lagos on Friday also vowed that the service will now commence profiling of fuel stations operating around border communities in order to nip smuggling of the products in the bud.
The CG who was represented at the event by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Hussein Ejibunu said the seizures were made across various flash point around Ilaro, Imeko, Badagry, Owode, Ajilete, with investigations confirming they were intended to be smuggled to neighboring country, Benin Republic.
Giving furher details of the seizure, Adeniyi said the duty paid value of the product stands at N39,425 million and that of
the means of conveyance stands at N24m, cumulatively amounting to 63,425 million.
He added that a total of four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
“We have two in court right now and we have two that we are still investigating to know if they are directly or remotely connected to the crime,” he added.
“Since the commencement of Operation Whirlwind in the past year, we have not fired a shot. If we see that the situation will be becoming chaotic, we invite the military. Like it happened somewhere in Mudi. Within 10 minutes, the military came and immediately they sighted the military, all of them dropped their weapons and ran away,” he said.
The Customs boss has subsequently directed that the PMS should be auctioned immediately to the Nigerian citizens, with a 25 liters jerrycan, sold at an auction price of ₦10,000.
Continuing, the CGC also said that the essence of profiling the filling stations around the borders is to dictate moribund and active fuel stations to identify the ones used for smuggling.
“And that is the essence of why we have to identify filling stations that are close to the border, that are moribund, those that are active so that we will know those that Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority will give license to,” Adeniyi said.
According to him, fuel stations found wanting would be submitted to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for necessary actions.
“I have just mentioned that there are many and those that were found guilty would be dealt with by NMDPRA. It’s not for Customs to do; we are not the ones who issued their license,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Patrick Musa, an Assistant Director at Lagos Southwest Regional Office of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) lauded the Operation Whirlwind for its efforts.
He stated that the interception of the products has reduced the fuel supply to criminal elements.
“The Customs have shown Nigerians that they dependable and capable, and that they have the capacity to protect our borders. The NMDPRA as an authority would continue to collaborate with the Customs, the office of the Attorney General, and the office of the National Security Adviser in cubbing the menace of Petroleum smugglers and marketers.
We have to let them know that this time, it is not business as usual” he stated
The event was witnessed by representatives from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation,
Zonal Coordinator Zone A of Customs, Assistant Comptroller General, ACG Charles Orbih, as well as the Customs Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Compt Mohammed Shuaibu.
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