Tunde Bakare
Few months into the ongoing operations WHIRLWIND, appreciable results have been recorded, particularly in the areas of illegal smuggling of petroleum motor spirit (PMS).
It will be recalled that the exercise, which commenced in May, 2024 involves the collaboration of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The operation, through the leadership of Compt. Hussaini Ejibunu took a definitive step to put Nigeria on the path to suppress smuggling of PMS out of the country through the exercise. The operation WHIRLWIND exercise has no doubt saved the country huge resources and enhanced national security as the smuggling of PMS out of the country through Kwara land borders has been considerably curtailed.
The operatives comprising of enforcement officers and Customs Intelligent Unit (CIU) covering Niger/Kwara axis has continued to record large number of seizures and arrests. On 17th and 18th September, 2024, respectively,
The team along Gwanara axis of the state, intercepted 38 and 61 Kegs of 25 liters of PMS respectively, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) en route Benin Republic with a duty paid value of Two Million Nine hundred and seventy thousand naira (N2, 970,000.00)
Similarly, on Monday, 30th Sept, 2024, a team of officers led by Chief Superintendent of Customs Waziri Mohammed at about 1130pm around Gure/kusoboso intercepted 90 kegs of 25 liters of PMS with a duty paid value of Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand (N2,700,000.00)
He added some notable seizures made by the operatives include two trucks with registration number FST-524 XG and JJJ-14-XQ respectively stocked with 33,000 liters each, filled with PMS all intended for smuggling out with a duty paid value of Seventy Nine Million Two Thousand (N79, 200, 000.000)
The total Duty Paid Value of the seizure is Eighty Four Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy Thousand N84, 870,000,000
The action of the smugglers contravenes Section 245 & 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Comptroller Ejibunu warned smugglers to desist from their wicked acts or risk arrest. He stated
According to him, the service has engaged with stakeholders, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA), and security agencies, to combat fuel smuggling Industry stakeholders, such as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), and Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), have also committed to supporting the operation. He concluded that the two tankers has been handed over to Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) for further investigation
His words: We recorded this sterling feat largely due to the leadership style and support of the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and the entire management team of the Service.
He went further to say that people are suffering due to artificial scarcity, but they are busy smuggling these petroleum products outside the country to make money. It’s either they stop this act or we continue to arrest them. We have zero tolerance for this act, he warned.
One suspect was apprehended in connection with these smuggling activities and was granted administrative bail.