A rage against petrol smuggling : Operation Whirlwind rattles economic saboteurs in Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto,Taraba, Katsina States …Seizes PMS worth over N196.5million

A rage against petrol smuggling :
Operation Whirlwind rattles economic saboteurs in Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto,Taraba, Katsina States
…Seizes PMS worth over N196.5million

Economic saboteurs specialised in smuggling petroleum products out of the country through the back-door are in for a tough time, as enforcement officers attached to ‘Operation Whirlwind,’ are battle-ready for petrol smugglers.

Only two weeks after ‘Operation Whirlwind’ was launched by Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, under the leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, the team has unleashed anti-smuggling onslaught against petrol smugglers in Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto,Taraba, Katsina States, seizing Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, worth over N196.5million in monetary value.

Speaking while showcasing massive seizures of PMS made in few days of operations, the CGC lamented unfortunate increase in smuggling of PMS across Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto, Taraba, and Katsina States borders between April and May 2024.

CGC Adeniyi revealed that the operatives attached to the team within seven days of non-stop task, intercepted 150,950 litres of PMS, valued at N105,965,391, at various locations nationwide.

He informed; “On Friday May 31, 2024, a total of 45,000 litres of PMS in a tanker was seized at Mubi, Adamawa State.”

The CGC, who addressed reporters in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, emphasised strategic efforts to handle the critical issue of fuel smuggling. He stressed that the exercise aimed at curtailing economic saboteurs has the support of the Office of National Security Adviser.

He explained that the Service had in response to the alarming increase in fuel smuggling, launched the initiative to defend the National currency, reduce pressures that may be attributed to activities of smugglers and dismantle their cartels within the ecosystem.

He added, “In the past two weeks, we received credible intelligence on relative stability of the price of PMS around the Border States, this is easily attributed to disruptions in the operations of smugglers.”

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

The CGC further stated that the Service has also recorded significant seizures of 129,185 litres of PMS from unpatriotic individuals attempting to deprive Nigerians of access to fuel, causing unnecessary hardship. The seized PMS 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.”

CGC Adeniyi 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.”

More so, the CGC assured of his commitment in the fight against petrol smuggling.