The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said its operatives seized 1,481 kegs and 20 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), totalling 41,425 litres, in Yola, Adamawa state.
The Service disclosed this in a statement shared via its social media platforms on Saturday.
It noted that the products were intercepted with nine vehicles used for its transportation, amounting to a cumulative duty paid value of N48,547,500.
“The latest achievement follows a previous announcement in May 2024, where 280,135 litres of PMS valued at over N195.5 million were confiscated,” the statement said.
The seizures by the Service’ Operation Whirlwind was carried out in various locations, including the Mubi-Sahuda road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha road, and Agwuwa Tana-Bakin Kogi axis of the state.
The NCS noted that the operation is a strategic partnership between the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), NCS, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), aimed at combating the illegal movement of fuel across Nigeria’s borders.
Part of the mandates of Operation Whirlwind is it ensure that fuel reaches its intended retail destinations by closely monitoring the entire supply chain from loading depots to final outlets.
The State’s Customs Service further assured legitimate oil marketers that the campaign targets only illicit activities and does not interfere with lawful business operations, while urging smuggling cartel members to desist from illegal activities and embrace legitimate businesses.
The Command noted that the NCS will continue its rigorous efforts to combat the smuggling of Nigeria’s PMS and ensure that such activities are eradicated.
SOURCE: The Whistler