Crime

PMS Smuggling: Customs Operation Whilwind intercepts, seizes 41, 425 litres worth N48.5m

…Says no amount of criticism ‘ll deter war on PMS smuggling

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Operation Whirlwind Adamawa Zone ‘D’ arm of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has seized a total of 41,425 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from smugglers operating around international borderlines of Adamawa and neighboring Cameroon Republic.

The said PMS had cumulative DPV of 48,547,500 million only.

Comptroller Husseini Kolawole Ejibunu, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind while addressing the press at Customs House, Yola, Adamawa State on Wednesday stated that 1,481 Kegs and 20 drums of PMS, containing 25 liters each and 220 each litres respectively, which translates to 41,425 liters of PMS together with nine means of conveyance.

The interceptions he revealed 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.

He said, “It is worthy to note that in collaboration with NMDPRA our operatives monitoring the supply and distribution chain right from the depot of loading up to the final destination (Retail Outlets) to ensure PMS reaches its manifested destinations.

“For your information this operation is jointly coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA) and NCS in synergy with National Midstream and Downstream petroleum Regulatory Authority(NMDPRA) a regulatory authority in oil &Gas sector.”

Comptroller Ijebuna recalled the maiden press conference granted by the CGC in zone ‘D’ two weeks after inauguration of the special operations on 31s may, 2024.
During that press conference he stated, the CGC displayed a combined total seizure of 280, 135 liters of PMS worth over 195.5million.

He went on to say, “Just last week I did a press conference in Lagos, Kebbi and Calabar all in zones A, B & C respectively during which I showcased huge seizures of petroleum products. This is in continuation of our resolve to disrupt and dismantle the network of cartels/smugglers of Premium Motor Spirit.”

The containers of petrol he said were seized with nine means of conveyance, being different brands of cars fitted with petrol carrying tankers hidden by thickly tinted windscreens, expressed determination of the team As the team is determined to facilitate legitimate trade as enshrined in the NCS Act, 2023.

He concluded, “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.
“On this note, 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’s no place for their illegal activities.”