Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded another success in its ongoing fight against smuggling activities and economic sabotage.
Its activities led to the seizures of smuggled pms in various locations of Adamawa/ Taraba command with monetary value of N86.517,570.
Addressing a press conference in Yola Wednesday, the national coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller HK Ejibunu, listed the seized pms to include 1,124 jerry cans of 25,40 and 60 litres capacity each of pms,53 drums of 200 litres capacity each filled with pms 21,0000 litres of pms conveyed in two fuel tankers totaling 71.965 litres and intended to be smuggled into adjacent country the Republic of Cameroon.
He stated further that due to inter- agency collaborations, the operatives intercepted 14 fuel tankers loaded with pms on the ground of product smuggling, adding that out of the 14 tankers, 13 were handed over to Nigeria Mainstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) in Adamawa, while the remaining one was handed over to the same agency in Taraba state.
He said the Customs also arrested a suspect in connection with smuggling activities who is currently facing prosecution and added that the anti smuggling crusade of the Operation Whirlwind had allowed Adamawa state to witness stable and efficient supply of pms and reduced scarcity and price instability.
He further stated that the pms will be auctioned to the general public immediately due to its inflamable nature as provided in the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and the standard operating procedures and the proceeds remitted into the federation account as stipulated by law.
He urged all legitimate oil marketers to go on with their normal business without fear of harassment or seizure of their products.
