WHIRLWIND TASK FORCE INTERCEPTS 41,425 LITERS OF PMS WORTH N48.5 MILLION IN YOLA
By: Timothy Paul Okorocha
At least 41,425 liters of premium motor spirit ( PMS) otherwise known as petrol worth more than than N48,547 million have been intercepted by operatives of the Whirlwind Task Force in the yola axis of Adamawa state.
Co-ordinator of the Task Force Team, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu disclosed this to newsmen in Yola yesterday.
Today, he said another seizure of =1,481= one thousand four hundred and eighty-one Kegs and =20= drums of PMS, containing twenty-five liters each and two hundred and twenty each litres respectively, which translates into = (41,425) forty-one thousand four hundred and twenty-five liters of PMS together with nine (9) means of conveyance. With cumulative DPV of = (48,547,500) forty-eight million, fivehundred and forty-seven thousand, five hundred naira only.
The Controller noted that these interceptions were made in different dates and locations across Mubi-Sahuda road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha road, Agwuwa Tana- Bakin Kogi axis and other places within the zone.
It is worthy to note that in collaboration with NMDPRA our operative monitor the supply and distribution chain right from the depot of loading up to the final destination (Retail Outlets) to ensure PMS reach its manifested destinations.
He stated that in n line with the CC’s mandate to curtail the smuggling and diversion of the PMS products, operation whirlwind had repositioned all its operatives across the frontiers despite all threats such as assault and harassment from the economic saboteurs as seen and witnessed in some social platforms. This will not hinder us from discharging our statutory duties. We will not relent in this fight until we bring smuggling activities to hold.
According to him, the successes recorded so far is predicated on the enabling environment and the unwavering efforts of the Management of Nigeria Customs Service under the stewardship of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR. The cooperation and strong support from Adamawa/Taraba Area Command and other units of the service such as FOU ‘D’, CIU, SIS alongside other security agencies equally played a vital role in this accomplishments.
He stressed to the patriotic Nigerians and the genuine oil Marketers, I want to bring to your notice that this fight is against the illicit oil marketers and the economic saboteurs as the team is out to facilitate legitimate trade as enshrined in the NCS Act, 2023. Al legitimate oil marketers are encouraged to go out with their normal businesses without fear of molestation and confiscation of their products.
He said this operation is jointly coordinated by the ONSA and NCS in synergy with NMDPRA aregulatory authority ni oil &Gas sector.
On this note, he urge members of the PMS smuggling cartels to have a re-think and better go into legitimate businesses because we will continue to go after them as economic saboteurs, as there’s no place for their illegal activities. The illegal exportation ofNigeria’s PMS to ourneighboring countries will not be tolerated by Nigeria customs service.