The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone A Team of Operation Whirlwind Task Force has successfully intercepted over 26,792 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, in Badagry.
Comptroller Huseein Ejibunu, Head of Operation Whirlwind, disclosed this information during a news briefing on Monday in Seme, Lagos.
Ejibunu detailed the operations leading to the interception of the petrol, stating, “Our team, acting on credible intelligence reports, intercepted 43 kegs of petrol, each containing 30 litres, equivalent to 1,290 litres.
Additionally, a Mark tanker truck with chassis number IMIAD3840TWO03697 containing 15,200 litres of petrol was intercepted at Jubau filling station along the Seme Badagry road.”
Further interceptions included:
- June 14: A Suzuki salon car with registration number SMK 83 BK was seized for transporting petrol.
- A Pathfinder Jeep (Reg no: ABJ 591 DC) and a Toyota Avensis (Reg no: 1973) with specially built bunkers loaded with petrol from Muse filling station.
- 124 kegs of petrol (30 litres each), equivalent to 3,720 litres.
- 65 kegs of petrol (40 litres each), equivalent to 2,600 litres.
Additionally, 189 kegs of petrol were intercepted at Timi Boy Global Venture on June 19, bringing the total intercepted petrol to over 26,792 litres.
Ejibunu highlighted the significant impact of Operation Whirlwind since its formation, noting, “In our maiden edition news conference held at Customs Command Abeokuta, we intercepted 26,950 litres of PMS worth N19 million barely two weeks after inauguration.
In a similar development, our efforts geared toward curtailing the menace of illegal smuggling of PMS products in Zone A resulted in the interception of 21,810 litres of PMS.”
He emphasized the detrimental effects of smuggling, which causes distortion in the supply chain of petroleum products to designated states and filling stations.
Smuggled petroleum products are often diverted to neighboring countries, contributing to insecurity as they are used by bandits and other notorious groups undermining national integrity.
Operation Whirlwind was conceived by Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, in collaboration with the National Security Adviser in May 2024, to combat the persistent issue of petrol smuggling.
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