Kegs of smuggled petrol intercepted by customs operatives
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
In an effort to curb illegal smuggling of petroleum product (PMS) in Cross River State, men of Operation Whirlwind Zone C, Nigeria Customs Service NCS, has impounded 466,000 litres of petroleum product valued at N380m.
The National Coordinator, Compt. HC Ejibunu, disclosed this in an interactive session with journalists on Wednesday in Calabar.
“Statistically, Since it inception till date, a total number of 466,000 liters of PMS values at approximately ₦380 Million has been seized,” he disclosed.
He said “This has maintain local fuel supplies while also addressing Economic Sabotage linked to fuel smuggling.”
The NCS stressed that the effort has contributed immensely to stabilized fuel price across the nation, ensuring that allocated Petroleum product reaches their designated destinations.
Recalled that Operation Whirlwind is an initiative of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) BA Adeniyi Mfr Psc(+) in collaboration with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Nigeria Midstream Downstream, Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) inaugurated in May 2024 to combat fuel smuggling.
Giving an insight of Operation Whirlwind, Ejibuno stated that Operation Whirlwind Zone C has has in the last one month made a seizure of 6,200 liters of PMS.
He said that the operation spanned through the entire South- South region stressing that despite the bad terrain and flooding which posed enormous challenge to the region, the unit is still performing its mandate effectively.
The NCS emphasized that this effort has contributed immensely to stabilized fuel price across the country and ensuring that allocated Petroleum product reach their designated destinations.
“In line with the three Mandate of the CGC, which is Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation, We want thank other agencies and Critical stake holders that have assisted the unit to perform their duty optimally since a tree can’t form a forest.” He concluded.
