By Muh’d Shafi’u Saleh
The Nigeria Custums Service (NCS), has recoded alot of showcasing successes by the area commands whicing two weeks by creating Operation Whirld Wind in Adamawa and Nigeria at large.
The Controller General of Custums, Bashir Adewuli Adeniye, told news men in a Press briefing in Yola Adamawa on Monday, that the alarming increase in fuel smuggling, the NCS in class collaboration with the NSA office, to initiated the Operation Whirld Wind for nationwide operation to.
The operation initiated to ensure; “Nigeria enjoy the full benefits of fuel price deregulation in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, defend the national currency and reduce pressure that maybe attributed to the activities of smuggling.
“Identify dismantle and disrupt cartel of smuggling operating within the ecosystem and raise awareness of the local communities and solicit their support to achieve these objectives” said Adewuli.
The Nigeria Custums Service Boss announced the significant striders made by ongoing operation whirlwind aimed at curbing the activities of smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) out of the country.
He said “in the past 2 weeks, we have received credible intelligence on the relative stability of the price of PMS around border states, this is easily attributed to disruption in the operation smugglers.
“Within 7days of intersive operation, a total of 150,950 litres of PMS, with valued at #105,965,391 have been intercepted at various locations nationwide.
“On 31 May 2024, a total of 45,000 liters of PMS in a Tanker was seized an Mova Adamawa state, on 1th June 2024, a total of 45,000 liters of PMS in a Tanker was seized at Mubi Adamawa, on 3th of June 2024, seized a total of 2,375 liters of PMS in 95 25-liter Jerrycans at Mubi.
“On 5th of June 2024, the operation whirlwind seized a total of 4,450 liters of PMS in 178 25liter Jerrycans in three different locations, including Song, Wuroboki, Mubi-Sahuda road and Gidan Madara+Sahuda in the state.
“On 6th June 2024, a total of 20,30 liters of PMS in 25 and 30 liter Jerrycans were seized in various locations across the country, including Maiha in Adamawa, Illela, Sokoto state and Agbaragba creek in Mfum border of Cross River state” he said.
He emphasizing the role of the Customs Board in curbing the activities of oil smugglers in the country he said “the service has recoded significant seizures of PMS from unpatriotic individuals attempting to deprive Nigerians of access to fuel and cause unnecessary hardship.
“While the operation counties our federal operating Units and Marine Commands have intercepted a total of 129,185 liters of fuel valued at #90,568,685, Notably, 54.48% of these seizures occurred in the north west region” he Said.
The head of the Nigeria National Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, also praised the cooperation between the NSA office and the customs officials to stop the importers of fuel from other countries.
