OPERATION WHIRLWIND INTERCEPTS 48,760 LITRES OF PETROL WORTH N35 MILLION; TANKER & SPECIALLY BUILT BUNKERS
The recently conceived Operation Whirlwind by the Customs Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR , is not leaving any stone unturned towards ensuring that the smuggling of petroleum products across the Nigerian borders is curtailed.
Its intervention has also assisted in increasing the availability of petrol in and around the country, as the officers of the Team are daily breaking the diversion of the product to stations it is not meant for.
National Co.ordinator of the Operation Whirlwind Team, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu told newsmen today at the Seme/ Badagry Border that 48,760 liters of fuel worth more than N35 million has been intercepted within the zone in the last one month
As veritable allies in Nation building, he said, the Press play a critical role at ensuring the success of this operation whirlwind team through balanced reportage and wide coverage.
This role will no doubt bring about massive sensitization to the public on the activities of the team. It may interest you to know that the initiative was conceived by our able, dynamic and pragmatic Comptroller General of customs ( Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR) in close collaboration with the National Security Adviser ( NSA) to set up this formidable and result oriented team primarily to put an end to incessant smuggling of premium motor spirit (PMS) detrimental to our economy.
Since its formation, operation Whirlwind team has made tremendous impact in all the zones based on statistically verified records and value of PMS being intercepted. For clarity and record purposes, the team had intercepted 26, 950 Litres of Premium motor spirit worth ₦19 million in our maiden edition press conference held at Customs Command Abeokuta barely two weeks after inauguration.
In a similar development, the operation Whirlwind teams’ effort geared towards curtailing the menace of illegal smuggling of PMS product in zone ‘A’ axis, also resulted in the interception of 21, 810 Litres of PMS product.
The devastating effects of smuggling are numerous as it causes distortion in the supply chain of Petroleum products to designated states and filling stations as revealed based on credible intelligence.
In most instances, PMS product were diverted to neighboring countries. However, this unwholesome practice often contributes tremendously to insecurity as diverted Petroleum products were found to be used by bandits and other notorious groups undermining the internal sovereignty of our nation.
In summary, our team acting on credible intelligence, intercepted the following:
1. 43 kegs of PMS 30 Litres Each equivalent to 1290 Litres. And one mark truck/ tanker with chassis no: IMIAD3840TW003697 Containing 15, 200 Litres of PMS at Jubau Filling Station along Seme Badagry road. A means of conveyance one Suzuki salon with Reg no: SMK 83 Bk, 14th June 2024
2. One Pathfinder Jeep with Reg no: ABJ 591 DC and one Toyota Avensis with Reg no: 1973 with both specially built Bunkers were loaded with PMS at Muse filling station dated 18th June 2024. Though, we are yet to ascertain the Litres in each of the vehicles.
3. 124 kegs of PMS 30Litres Each equivalent to 3,720 Litres.65 kegs of PMS of 40 Litres Each equivalent to 2,600 Litres. In total, 189 kegs of PMS was intercepted at TIMI BOY GLOBAL VENTURE dated 19th June 2024.
I want to use this ample opportunity to warn those engaged in this nefarious activities to desist or face the wrath of the law.