The Nigeria Customs Service Special Team, known as “Operation Whirlwind,” has intercepted 21,810 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along the Seme Badagry road within Zone ‘A’. This operation aims to curb the smuggling of petroleum products outside Nigeria.
During a press briefing at the Seme Area Command on Monday, National Coordinator Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu revealed that the operation’s success was based on credible intelligence. “Operation Whirlwind Team’s efforts to curtail the menace of illegal PMS smuggling in Zone ‘A’ resulted in the interception of 21,810 litres of PMS,” he stated.
Ejibunu highlighted the severe consequences of smuggling, including supply chain distortions for designated states and filling stations. He noted that smuggled petroleum products often fuel insecurity, being used by bandits and other groups undermining national security.
The seized items included:
- 43 kegs of PMS, each containing 30 litres (totaling 1,290 litres)
- One mark truck/tanker with chassis no: IMIAD3840TW003697 containing 15,200 litres of PMS at Jubau Filling Station on Seme Badagry road
- One Suzuki saloon with Reg no: SMK 83 BK on June 14, 2024
- One Pathfinder Jeep with Reg no: ABJ591DC and one Toyota Avensis with Reg no: 1973, both with specially built bunkers loaded with PMS at Muse Filling Station on June 18, 2024
- 124 kegs of PMS, each containing 30 litres (totaling 3,720 litres)
- 65 kegs of PMS, each containing 40 litres (totaling 2,600 litres)
- In total, 189 kegs of PMS were intercepted at TIMI BOY GLOBAL VENTURE on June 19, 2024
Ejibunu emphasized the dual dangers of petrol smuggling: economic disruption and security threats. “The smuggling of PMS has two dangerous effects: economic and security. So, we want to cut the supply chain by all means possible,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to provide timely information to support the fight against petrol smuggling, stressing that this battle requires collective effort.
