The anti-smuggling arm of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Operation Whirlwind (OPSWW) has foiled an attempt to smuggle petroleum products worth N32. 1 million to neighbouring countries through the states located in the South-West geo-political region.
The South-West region which comprises Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Ondo States are categorized into Zone ‘A’ in the NCS. Others zones in NCS include ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’.
The petroleum products were prepared for smuggling into Nigeria’s neighbouring countries before the plan was thwarted by officers and men of NCS, OPSWW.
With the successful interception of the petroleum products, NCS has succeeded in nipping in the bud the smuggling of petroleum smuggling outside the country.
The National Co-ordinator of NCS, OPSWW, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Lucky Aliyu disclosed this Monday at a press briefing at Customs Training College (CTC), Ikeja, Lagos.
Aliyu also revealed that not less than 22,175 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol were intercepted within Zone ‘A’ axis and its environs.
The OPSWW National Co-ordinator further disclosed the seizures were made across identified flashpoints in the South-West such as Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, Seme and Badagry.
While showcasing the seizures at the public auction, he averred that the NCS will continue to uphold its statutory mandate of safeguarding Nigeria’s economy, protecting vital national assets, and combatting all forms of smuggling, illicit trade and economic sabotage across the country.
According to Aliyu, NCS has intensified its efforts through enhanced surveillance, strengthened intelligence gathering and more robust enforcement operations along major routes and identified flashpoints associated with the illegal diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products.
The Customs Chief maintains that OPSWW remains a targeted anti-smuggling initiative by NCS established to curb the illegal movement, diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products.
He explained that in doing so, OPSWW has strengthened national energy security, ensuring that petroleum products meant for domestic consumption are not unlawfully diverted across the nation’s borders.
According to him, acting on credible intelligence in recent weeks, his operatives successfully disrupted a co-ordinated network involved in the illegal movement and exportation of petrol to neighboring countries.
During these operations, a total of 887 jerry cans, each containing 25 litres of PMS, were intercepted along with five means of conveyance.
He noted that the public auction of the seizures was a clear demonstration of NCS commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of seized petroleum products, in accordance with the extant laws, regulations and approved procedures.
Aliyu enjoined all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the established guidelines governing the exercise to ensure that the process is conducted in fair, orderly and transparent manner.
He used the occasion to applaud the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and NCS management team for their continued support, strategic direction and unwavering commitment to the objectives of OPSWW.
The OPSWW National Co-ordinator also pat the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on the back for their continued collaboration with NCS.
He hailed the officers and men of OPSWW in Zone ‘A’ for their professionalism, diligence, courage and unwavering commitment to duty, which led to the success of the operation.
He issued a note of warning to criminal elements to desist from illicit businesses as NCS is ready to tackle them headlong no matter what it takes.
His words: “To those who are still engaged in the illegal smuggling, diversion and cross-border movement of petroleum products, let this exercise serve as a clear warning. Operation Whirlwind remains resolute, relentless and intelligence-driven. We will continue to identify, intercept and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate while ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice in accordance with the law’
Aliyu enjoined Nigerians particularly residents of border communities to continue to support the efforts of NCS and other relevant security and regulatory agencies by providing what he called “timely, accurate and credible information” on suspicious activities in their vicinity.
He maintained that the fight against smuggling and economic sabotage is a collective responsibility just as he pointed out that the co-operation of the public remains vital to achieving lasting success in the attainment of set goals and objectives.
