Operation whirlwind yields tremendous result as customs intercepts 150, 959 litters of PMS in one week

“NCS has received credible intelligence on the relative stability of the price of PMS around the Border States, this is easily attributed to disruptions in the operations of smugglers”

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has in response to the alarming increase in fuel smuggling made within one week seizure of 150,950 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth over N105 million.

A feat which has been possible through the instrumentality of it’s “Operation Whirlwind” recently launched to subdue illegal trade of petroleum products across Nigerian borders.

Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, while making the disclosure on Monday in Yola, Adamawa State, said the Service has started recording massive turnout in curtailing the menace of PMS smuggling across the federation, reminded smugglers that it’s no longer business as usual however urged them to find legitimate jobs as the operation has the strong backing of the national security adviser of the nation.
Giving further breakdown of the seizures, he decried an alarming combined diversion of 280,135 litres of PMS worth N196,524,075.50 which raises serious economic concerns with broader implications on National Security.
He said, they have a task to defend the National currency, reduce pressures that may be attributed to the activities of smugglers and dismantle their cartels within the ecosystem, adding, “In the past 2 weeks we have received credible intelligence on the relative stability of the
price of PMS around the Border States, this is easily attributed to disruptions in the operations of smugglers.”
The customs boss went on to say, that the operatives attached to the initiative had, within 7 days of non-stop task, intercepted a total of 150,950 litres of PMS, valued at N105,965,391, at various locations nationwide, highlighting, “On Friday 31 May 2024. A total of 45,000 litres of PMS in a tanker was seized at Mubi, Adamawa State.

“On Saturday, 1 June 2024, a total of 45,000 litres of PMS in a tanker was also seized at Mubi, Adamawa, while between Monday, 3 June 2024, and Friday, 7 June 2024, a total of 92,928 litres of PMS in 25 litres of different sizes of jerry cans at Mubi, Song-Wuroboki, Mubi-Sahuda road and Gidan Madara – Sahuda road, in Adamawa state and others in Illela, Sokoto and Agbaragba creek in Mfum border of Cross River State.”

The Service he said also recorded significant seizures of 129,185 litres of PMS from unpatriotic individuals attempting to deprive Nigerians of access to fuel and cause unnecessary hardship valued at N90,558,685,adding “A combined diversion of 280,135 litres of PMS of N196,524,075.50 raises serious economic concerns with broader implications on National Security.”

The CG lamented the unfortunate increase in smuggling of PMS across Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto, Taraba, and Katsina states borders between April and May 2024, and the Service deemed it necessary to collaborate with the NSA to come up with a lasting solution to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the full benefits of fuel price deregulation in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu.

He said, “Between April and May 2024, Borno and Kebbi States recorded 76% and 59% increases in evacuations, ranking among the top three states. On a year-on-year basis (May 2023 and May 2024), Sokoto and Taraba States recorded the most substantial increases in evacuations, with 247% and 234% increases, respectively.”

CGC Adeniyi highlighted that the smuggling of PMS spiked recently owing to the high cost of the product in neighbouring countries in the past two weeks.
He started, “While PMS is sold at an average of N701.99 in Nigeria, it is sold at an average of N1,672.05 in the Republic of Benin and N2,061.55 in Cameroon. In other countries around the region, the price of PMS ranges from N1,427.68 in Liberia to N2,128.20 in Mali, averaging N1,787.57, according to the fuel price data obtained from opensource.”