NO ESCAPE ROUTE FOR ECONOMIC SABOTEURS; AS OPERATION WHIRLWIND INTERCEPTS 39,425 LITRES OF PMS IN LAGOS/OGUN AXIS
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
In what looked like a stock taking and review of the Operation Whirlwind, charged with onerous task of nipping petroleum smuggling in the bud, the Comptrollerh General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has said the crack Team has made historic achievements in the last one year of its existence.
While exhibiting more than 39,455 litres of seized premium motor spirit (PMS) in Lagos today, the Comptroller General, represented by the National Co-ordinator of Operation Whirlwind, ACG HK Ejibunu said the value of the product inclusive of 8 means of conveyance stood at more than N63.4 million. Sandwiched by ACG Orbih, Compt Oladeji now the Deputy National Co-ordinator, as well as Deputy Compt Ahmed-the Commandant of the Customs Training College, Ejibunu warned;
‘There is no safe -haven or hiding place for smugglers and economic saboteurs, as we continue to disrupt all their illegal activities, reducing it to the barest minimum’
He disclosed that at least three to four suspects are being prosecuted at the courts, hoping that their convictions will serve as a deterrent to those still trying to venture into the ugly trade.
Ejibunu commended the collaboration of the ministry of justice represented by Mrs Aluko and the petroleum management firm, also represented. He noted with joy that within the span of one year, so much has been achieved nationwide, attributing it to the commitment, dedication and resilience of the operatives.
He noted that the Office of the National Security Adviser, NMDPRA, CGC and office of the Attorney General have also commended the efforts of his officers in bringing down some of the smugglers of PMS to their knees
About this time last week Friday, we were in Yola, Adamawa State Capital for
similar exercise where we auctioned over forty-six thousand (46,000) liters of PMS
which was seized by our gallant operatives in that zone.
He noted that, on the instructions of the CGC, today has been earmarked for another of such exercise, resulting from seizures of premium motor spirit PMS
made across various flash point around Ilaro, Imeko, Badagry, Owode, Ajilete etc,
with investigations confirming they were intended to be smuggled to neighboring
country, Benin Republic.
A total of One Thousand Five Hundred and Seventy-seven (1,577) Jerrycans of PMS twenty-five (25) liters each, amounting to Thirty-nine Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty-five (39,425) liters was seized as well as Eight (8) vehicles used as means of conveyance.
He re-emphasizes that there is no safe haven or hiding place for smugglers and economic saboteurs as we will continue to disrupt all their illegala ctivities, reducing it to the barest minimum.
On the instruction of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale
Adeniyi MFR psc (+) in his magnanimity directed that the PMS is going to be
auctioned immediately after this press briefing to the Nigerian citizen, with a
twenty-five (25) liters jerrycan, sold at an auction price of ten thousand naira only
(₦10,000).
On behalf of the CGC, he uses the opportunity to thank their strategic
partners in this operation, the ONSA, office of the Attorney General, and NMDPRA officials for their unwavering support and co-operation, this operation couldn’t have been successful without their collaboration.