OPERATION WHIRLWIND INTERCEPTS 20,100 LITERS OF PETROL WORTH N18 MILLION IN A WEEK
By: Timothy Paul Okorocha
No less than 20,100 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) worth N18 million were intercepted by the Operation whirlwind of the western zone of the customs service in the last one week.
National Co-ordinator of the Whirlwind Team, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu disclosed to newsmen today in Lagos.
Though, he said there was a forced holiday for the Team due to the nation wide protest, the Team has just resumed , making mouth-watering seizures.
It is therefore worthy of note that just a week after the regrouping of the officers of Operation Whirlwind team, Zone ‘A’ Axis, a total of 804 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS was intercepted and seized as follows;
a, 50 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS were intercepted at Ere River, Ado Odo in Ogun state on Monday 2″* September, 2024.
b, 265 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS were evacuated from a house in Imeko, Ogun state on Tuesday 3″” September, 2024.
c, 425 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS were intercepted in a Filling Station called “God is Sufficient Petroleum” in Idiroko on Wednesday 4” September, 2024.
d, 27 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS intercepted in a Mazda car along Idiroko in Ogun state on Thursday 6′” September, 2024.
e, 37 kegs of 25 litres each of PMS intercepted in a bush path abandoned by smugglers in Idiroko on Monday 9′” September, 2024.
In connection with the above seizures were five (5) means of conveyance while the total seizure is 804 kegs of 25 litres each equivalent to 20, 100 litres with a Duty Paid Value of N 18million.
The renewed vigour of the officers accounted for serious combing of flashpoints as provided by intelligence reports hence the aforementioned results.
Members of the press, the activities of economic saboteurs are inimical to the economic growth and prosperity of our Nation as well as the well being of its citizens. All hands must be on deck to fight these common enemies of the state.
At this point, my message to the smugglers is simple, no hiding place for them except they embrace legitimate trade.
It is absolutely gratifying to welcome you all to today’s press briefing which is aimed at bringing to the fore another giant stride recorded by the team, south west chapter of the operation.
Recall, on the 26″ of July, 2024, we successfully did a press briefing in this same venue during which a total of 31,740 litres of Premium Motor Spirit valued at N25million was showcased to the Nation.
Shortly after the last press briefing in Lagos, there were National Security concerns as a result of nationwide protests and during the period, officers and men of the pactare were withdrawn to beef up security around sensitive Government’s facilities considered as soft targets for the protesters to attack.
Coming out from the protest, the Service Promotion Exams took center stage when eligible officers attended. Both events stalled the operations of the team nationwide until last week.
Just yesterday, stakeholders in the Petroleum Sector gathered to brainstorm in the office of the National Security Adviser over burning issues surrounding PMS diversion, illegal exportation of PMS to neighboring countries and the way forward.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, was also in attendance. The take-away from the meeting, was a renewed vigour to avert diversion, illegal exportation of the product and ensuring economic saboteurs are brought to book.
Credence must be given to the National Security Adviser who is always thinking outside the box to root out the kingpins behind this oil theft. He chaired the stakeholders meeting yesterday in his office. He encouraged us not to relent.
In the same vein, the chief executive of Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) also attended the meeting while lending his full support and that of the Agency towards realizing the objectives of the operation in whatever capacity.