By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant breakthrough in its campaign against fuel smuggling, intercepting a large consignment of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth over ₦63 million in the Lagos-Ogun axis under the ongoing Operation Whirlwind.
Speaking at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos, the National Coordinator of the operation, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Hussein Ejibunu, emphasized the agency’s firm resolve to clamp down on economic sabotage.
“We are sending a strong signal there will be no safe haven for smugglers. Our mission is to dismantle their operations and significantly reduce their activities, he stated.
The seized items comprised 1,577 jerrycans of PMS, each containing 25 litres, totaling 39,425 litres. The operation also led to the confiscation of eight vehicles used to transport the fuel across border communities including Ilaro, Imeko, Badagry, Owode, and Ajilete—key smuggling routes along the Nigeria-Benin Republic border.
According to Customs, the duty paid value of the petrol amounted to ₦39.4 million, while the vehicles were valued at ₦24 million, bringing the total worth of the seizure to ₦63.4 million.
ACG Ejibunu commended the officers involved, highlighting their professionalism and dedication as key drivers of the operation’s success.
Additionally, he noted that similar achievements have been recorded across other zones due to the unwavering commitment of personnel.
Ejibunu also announced that the petrol will be auctioned immediately at a subsidized rate of ₦10,000 per 25-litre jerrycan. This move follows the directive of Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
Feathermore, he acknowledged the critical support of strategic partners including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Office of the Attorney General.
The Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, ACG Charles Orbih, praised the outcome of Operation Whirlwind, describing it as a testament to the Service’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding national economic interests.
