…Seizes Petroleum Products Worth N93m
No fewer than 47 instances of seizures from different locations at different times and dates within Adamawa State have been made by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Operation Whirlwind.
Operation Whirlwind remains NCS flagship anti-petroleum products smuggling task force. Over the years, it has been carrying out its roles and responsibilities across the country and it has the full backing of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team in the discharge of its mandate.
These seizures with a monetary value of N93, 029, 800. 00 only were made across various smuggling flashpoints of Adamawa State on different dates and times. The locations include Mubi-Sahuda axis, Farang-Belel, Gurin-Furore axis, Maihia, Muva and Pariya.
The seized items include 64,410 litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol packed in 2,550 jerry cans of 25 litres each and three drums of 220litres capacity, intended to be smuggled out of the country.
Also seized were twoused vehicles popularly called tokunbo used as means of conveyance of some of the seized PMS.
These were disclosed by the NCS Operation Whirlwind National Co-ordinator, Deputy Comptroller Lucky Abubakar Aliyu at Customs House, Yola, Adamawa State recently.
According to Aliyu who was hitherto the Deputy National Co-ordinator, NCS Operation Whirlwind, the seizures were effected as they were in contravention with Sections 150, 248 and 250 of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023. The operatives equally acted in accordance with Section 243 of the NCS Act 2023 which gave them the power to freely patrol in order to apprehend these goods.
He commended officers and men of the NCS, Operation Whirlwind, Zone ‘D’ for the strides they have recorded in the last six weeks.
Aliyu who disclosed that he was in the state on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir, Adewale Adeniyi was full of praise to the Customs High Command for its support to NCS, Operation Whirlwind in the discharge of its roles and responsibilities across the country.
His words: “Gentlemen of the press, I am, glad to have you today in Customs House, Yola as I represent the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, dsm, fnipr, PSC (+) to address you on this very important press conference in the Operation Whirlwind strategic move against smuggling along the Nigeria frontiers, aiming at safeguarding food, energy and national security, to ensure national stability, in line with the core mandates of the President of the Federal republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Our gathering today is centred on showcasing and celebrating the successes recorded by the operatives of Operation Whirlwind, Zone ‘D’ axis, through the ongoing anti-smuggling intelligence-driven operations aimed at disrupting smuggling syndicates in accordance with the enabling laws”.
In order to maintain the momentum, Aliyu stated that the unit had repositioned all its machineries across its areas of coverage, in collaboration with other sister agencies, for effective border management.
“There is no doubt that this strategic intervention has contributed immensely to the service’s overall mission success. We remain committed and resolute to sustaining this momentum”, he added.
According to the Customs Chief, it is important to note that deregulation of the price of petroleum products does not mean that the Federal Government has abandoned its responsibility for market stability, national security and illicit exportation of the products, most especially Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) in our neighbouring countries like Benin Republic, Cameroon and others; all of which remain substantially greater in Nigeria, despite Nigeria’s own price increases as a result of deregulation.
He revealed that this price gap is the primary engine driving smuggling activities across the country to neighbouring countries.
Said he: “For instance, as at today in the Republic of Benin and Cameroon, the average price of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) per litre stands at 695 CFA (N2, 196) and 840 XAF (N1, 709) respectively as against N1,330 in Nigeria. Take for example, a smuggler who successfully smuggles 60,000litres of PMS across Nigeria by all means into the Republic of Cameroon, stands to make a gross revenue difference of approximately N51, 960, 000based on price disparity. This attested to why the economic saboteurs remain resolute in their nefarious activities for personal gain”.
He disclosed that these structurally entrenched cartels maintained comprehensive situational awareness, diversified transit modalities, and were driven by illegal profits, making it a daily fight to suppress their illegal activities.
The NCS, Operation Whirlwind National Co-ordinator noted these criminal elements who have made smuggling their way of life were prepared to do whatever it takes to maintain their hold.
He however vowed that NCS, Operation Whirlwind under his watch has been diligently reviewing and strengthening its robust measures to combat this illicit trade, head on.
His words: “Let me state unequivocally that we would think of and we would not relent in this anti-smuggling crusade, until we bring smuggling activities to ground zero in Adamawa and Nigeria where smugglers would not have fresh air. Note that the seized PMS showcased here today would be auctioned to the general public, immediately after this press conference in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act, 2023 and the proceeds would be remitted into the Federation Account accordingly. Please, be informed that we have not only seize these products, we have also succeeded in recovering our national assets which could have been used to fuel insecurity”.
He expressed what he called “sincere appreciation” to the CGC and the entire management team for constantly providing all necessary resources and support for the NCS Operation Whirlwind seamless anti-smuggling operations across the country.
Aliyu also thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the leadership of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for his unalloyed support and commitment in addressing security challenges in Nigeria.
In the same vein, he commended the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) whose technical expertise and regulatory framework played a vital role in these accomplishments.
“The genuine co-operation and shared intelligence of Adamawa/Taraba Area Command under the leadership of Comptroller MA Tako is highly recognised in this breakthrough. The networked intelligence of all the Customs Units comprising the CIU, North-Eastern Marine, FOU, SIS, Valuation, ICT, and other security agencies. Community leaders and critical stakeholders must also be reckoned with in this successful anti-smuggling journey”, he added.
He enjoined Nigerians to support NCS efforts through what he called “timely report” of any suspicious activities as he pointed out that the “fight is not a one-man business”.
According to him, if you see something, say something without delay. We seek your continuous unalloyed support in this anti-smuggling crusade of the Nigeria Customs Service by continuously educating the populace on the nation’s economy and security. Together, we can combat smuggling and promote the economic growth we are yearning for.
