The Nigeria Customs Service has disposed of seized PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) in the Adamawa area to the general public at N630 per liter.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, flagged off the auction sales of the seized PMS today in Yola. He stated that the products had been intercepted while being smuggled out of the country through the border towns in Adamawa state.
Represented by the Head of Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection, DCG Olaniyi Alajegun, the CGC provided an update on the progress of Operation Whirlwind, which is focused on combating fuel smuggling across Nigeria’s borders.
He stressed that, in his maiden address on the operation of the Petroleum Products Anti-Smuggling Team, codenamed Operation Whirlwind, significant seizures of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) totaling 150,950 liters, valued at N105,965,391, were reported.
“I am pleased to inform you that since then, our efforts have intensified, yielding further results across multiple border regions of the country,” CGC Adeniyi said.
“Operation Whirlwind, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), continues to make strides in curbing the illegal exportation of petroleum products.”
He went on to explain that recent operations recorded substantial seizures in various locations, including the North-West Borders in the Sokoto-Kebbi axis, the South-West Borders around Seme-Badagry and Idiroko, and the Southern borders in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
Regarding the latest phase of Operation Whirlwind in the border regions of Adamawa State, CGC Adeniyi noted:
- Two trucks, each with a 33,000-liter capacity, filled with PMS intended to be smuggled.
- 1,046 jerry cans, each with a 25-liter capacity, filled with PMS.
- 12 drums, each with a 200-liter capacity, filled with PMS intended to be smuggled.
- One suspect was arrested during the operation.
According to the CGC, the duty paid value (DPV) of the seized products is N155,157,560.
“These seizures underscore the persistent nature of this challenge and the necessity of our continued vigilance and action,” he remarked.
Commending the efforts of sister agencies, CGC Adeniyi also highlighted a recent stakeholder conference held in Abuja, which brought together key players in the fight against fuel smuggling. He described the conference as a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight against smuggling, during which stakeholders publicly dissociated themselves from all forms of smuggling, including the illegal transportation of petroleum products.
“The commitment shown by all stakeholders reinforces our resolve and enhances our capacity to combat this national challenge effectively,” he added.
The CGC also reiterated the importance of engaging with local communities to raise awareness about the need to comply with Customs regulations.
“As we continue to make progress, I urge all stakeholders to continue to support our efforts. We cannot achieve success alone—it requires the collective action of law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and citizens,” he emphasized.
“We call on all the residents of Adamawa and other border states to support this operation. Your vigilance and cooperation are crucial in our collective effort to safeguard our nation’s resources and ensure that the benefits of fuel price deregulation are fully realized by all Nigerians. I encourage everyone to report any suspicious activities to our officers, as your involvement is crucial in this fight against fuel smuggling.”
CGC Adeniyi concluded with a stern warning to those involved in smuggling:
“I want to reiterate our warning to those engaged in these illicit activities: the full force of the law will be brought to bear on anyone caught smuggling our nation’s resources.”
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