The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) tactical team, Operation Whirlwind, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), intercepted 76,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N84.8 million in September 2024.
In a press statement signed on Monday, 11 November, 2024, by the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara Command, Assistant Superintendent of Customs Chado Zakari, on behalf of the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussaini Ejibunu, described the operation as a decisive measure to curb the smuggling of PMS out of Nigeria. Ejibunu noted that these actions have saved the country significant resources and bolstered national security by reducing PMS smuggling through Kwara’s land borders.
Ejibunu explained that, with support from enforcement officers and the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) covering the Niger/Kwara axis, operatives intercepted 38 and 61 kegs of PMS, each containing 25 litres, on 17 and 18 September 2024, along the Gwanara axis of the state. The seized fuel, intended for the Benin Republic, have a duty-paid value of N2,970,000.
Similarly, on Monday, 30 September, 2024, a team led by Chief Superintendent of Customs Waziri Mohammed intercepted 90 kegs, each containing 25 litres of PMS, around 11:30 p.m. near Gure/Kusoboso, valued at N2,700,000.
Among other notable seizures, operatives intercepted two trucks, with registration numbers FST-524 XG and JJJ-14-XQ, each loaded with 33,000 litres of PMS. Intended for smuggling abroad. The seized fuel have a combined duty-paid value of N79,200,000, bringing the total duty-paid value of all seizures to N84,870,000.
According to Ejibunu, “The service has engaged with stakeholders, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and other security agencies, to combat fuel smuggling.
“Industry stakeholders, such as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), have also committed to supporting the operation.”
He also highlighted the detrimental impact of fuel smuggling, noting that Nigerians suffer from artificial scarcity while smugglers profit by exporting petroleum products. “They must stop this act, or we will continue to arrest them. We have zero tolerance for this behaviour,” he warned.
Ejibunu expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management team, attributing Operation Whirlwind’s success to their leadership and support.
He further disclosed that one suspect has been apprehended in connection with the smuggling activities and granted administrative bail, while the two tankers have been handed over to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for further investigation.
