PETROL SMUGGLERS HAVING THEIR DAYS IN COURTS; AS EJIBUNU SHOWCASES N32.2 MILLION SEIZED PRODUCT TO NEWSMEN IN LAGOS
By: Timothy Paul Okorocha
Scores of petrol smugglers apprehended in the act across the country are currently being prosecuted by the legal unit of the customs service.
The National Co-ordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller HK Ejibunu disclosed to newsmen in Lagos today while showcasing more than 30,225 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) valued at more than N32.2 million, intercepted within the past few days by the Team’s Lagos zone.
According to the Co-ordinatotor, from all indications, with the Operation of his Team and judging by the statement of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu who represented the President at the just concluded Comptroller General’s conference, petroleum smuggling is fast on the downward trend .
He said no matter the antics of the smugglers as well as new strategies, his Team is always a step ahead especially on intelligence, hence its operations are majorly intelligence-driven.
On the question posed by a journalist on the inadequate allowances for officers who are daily turning in these seizures at their various posts, Ejibunu stated that the Comptroller General has done his best in that regard as he has equally promised to clear any outstanding in the nearest possible time.
Going memory lane, he said the mandate of the Operation Whirlwind is to ensure energy security, availability of PMS as well as economic stability in the country.
Beating his chest, he said as a result of its operation, Nigerians now have fuel to buy, same product that would have been smuggled out to neighboring countries.
He was also of the view that our petrol is still the cheapest around the sub- region.
The Co-ordinator deposed that it was in view of the pro-active nature his Team and the results generated that the government extended its tenure to this December but quickly noted that he was not competent enough to say if the life span of the Team would go beyond December, as he maintained that it would be the prerogative of the Comptroller General to so decide.
Though, he stated that manpower is a challenge, he however, eulogized the Comptroller General for the adequate provision of logistics since the Operation commenced.
Today marks yet another success recorded by the operatives of Operation Whirlwind, Zone “A” Lagos/Ogun Axis under the command of Assistant Comptroller MI BELLO (Team Commander). As all of you are aware, this is going to be the seventh press conference to be conducted by this unit in this zone.
About five (5) weeks ago, same PMS products were displayed before you here on the parade ground of the college where several seizures were made. We want to inform members of the general public that the operation has already hold smugglers of Premium Motor Spirit by Jugular without any breathing space for their illegal activities across the country.
He re-emphasize that this operation has yielded a positive result in ensuring availability of fuel in the various filling stations across the country. We will continue to ensure that all illegal routes of smuggling of PMS leading to our neighbouring countries are blocked by this operation.
Today, according to him, there’s another seizure of Eight hundred and forty Nine (849) kegs of PMS containing Twenty-five (25) litres each, with two (2) Means of Conveyance Mazda 626 respectively. And this translate to Thirty Thousand Two hundred and twenty-five (30,225) litres with duty paid value of Thirty million two hundred and Twenty-five thousand naira only (30,225,000.00) only at the NNPCL retail price.
On this note, the Co-ordinator thank the National Security Adviser and the Comptroller- General of Customs for their unwavering support.