The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has approved the immediate auction of seized petrol at a subsidised rate of N10,000 per 25-litre jerrycan.
The product was seized at the weekend by its task force tagged under Operation Whirlwind, which impounded petrol worth over N63 million in the Lagos-Ogun axis.
At a press briefing held at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Hussein Ejibunu, hailed the seizure as a major success in the fight against economic sabotage.
“There is no safe haven for smugglers or economic saboteurs. We will continue to disrupt their activities and reduce them to the barest minimum,” he declared.
According to ACG Ejibunu, operatives intercepted 1,577 jerrycans of 25 litres each, totalling 39,425 litres of PMS, along with eight vehicles used for transportation.
The seizures were made in smuggling hotspots including Ilaro, Imeko, Badagry, Owode, and Ajilete. Investigations revealed the products were bound for illegal export across the border to Benin Republic.
The fuel has a duty-paid value of N39,425,000, while the vehicles are valued at N24,000,000, bringing the total to N63,425,000. Ejibunu praised the dedication of the officers involved, noting the progress made within one year of the operation. “It may interest you to know that in just one year, significant milestones have been achieved across all zones. This is due to the commitment, discipline, and resilience of the operatives,” he said.
He also acknowledged the support of key partners, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Office of the Attorney General.
Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘A’, ACG Charles Orbih, commended the ongoing success of Operation Whirlwind. “This landmark achievement reflects the determination and unwavering commitment of our officers to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic and national security,” he said.
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