By Sunday Elijah
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Operation Whirlwind fighting against fuel smuggling, says it has seized two lorries, 1,046 kegs filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 12 drums of petroleum products.
Addressing journalists in Yola on Wednesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, announced that since the operation’s launch on 10 June 2024, efforts have intensified, yielding results across multiple border regions.
“Our ongoing operations have recorded substantial seizures in various locations, including the North-West borders in the Sokoto-Kebbi axis, the South-West borders around the Seme-Badagry and Idiroko axis, and the southern borders in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states” Adeniyi said, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) in charge of Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection, Aliyu Alajogun.
“I am pleased to announce that in this latest phase of Operation Whirlwind, we have seized two lorries carrying smuggled petroleum products, 1,046 kegs filled with PMS, and 12 drums of petroleum products. Additionally, one suspect has been apprehended in connection with these smuggling activities,” he noted.
According to him, the seizures underscore the persistent nature of the challenge and the necessity of continued vigilance and action.
The Customs chief warned smugglers, “The full force of the law will be brought to bear on anyone caught smuggling our nation’s resources.”
He called on all Nigerians, especially resident at the border states, to support the operation. “Your vigilance and cooperation are crucial in our collective efforts to safeguard our nation’s resources and ensure that the benefits of fuel price deregulation are fully realised by all Nigerians.”
The Comptroller General ordered the immediate auction of the seized products at two petrol stations in Yola, at the rate of ₦630 per litre.
