PETROL SMUGGLERS TO BE PROSECUTED; AS WHIRLWIND TASK FORCE INTERCEPTS PRODUCTS WORTH N13.2 MILLION IN 3 DAYS IN ZONE ‘A’
Several suspects who were apprehended for the smuggling of petroleum products amounting to economic sabotage are being investigated and will soon have their day in court.
The Co-ordinator of Operation Whirlwind TaskvForce Team, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu disclosed this to newsmen today in Lagos while exhibiting more than 18,750 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS) worth N13.2 million intercepted by his men in just three days of operation in the zone ‘A’ axis.
According to him, suspects are being profiled and undergoing routine investigations at the Whirlwind Headquarters in Abuja, after which the legal team of the task force just constituted will drag the suspects to court.
At the moment, he said the suspects have have been granted an administrative bail.
Ejibunu stated that those found culpable must have their in court while the Service would not allow them to escape the long arms of the law.
Following the ravaging effects of illegal exportation of Premium Motor Spirit {PMS} to neighboring countries by economic saboteurs, the Service under the able leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, in close collaboration with National Security Adviser {NSA}, set up Operation Whirlwind Task Force Team in which I was appointed the National Coordinator to declare total war on the enemies of the state.
The conception of the team was aimed to;
a, Ensure that Nigerians enjoy the full benefits of fuel price deregulation in line with the vision of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
b. Defend the National Currency and reduce pressures that may be attributed to the activities of smugglers
c, Identify, dismantle and disrupt cartels of smugglers operating within the ecosystem and,
d. Raise awareness of the local communities and solicit their support to achieve these objectives.Empowered by the new Customs Act 2023 and guided by credible intelligence, the operation targets illegal exportation, particularly of petroleum products, ensuring availability within the country and conserving Government resources.
The Operation covers all NCS Zones {A-D}, involving carefully selected officers trained and equipped to handle the task with strict adherence to professionalism. Recall that within two weeks after inauguration of the team, the Comptroller General did a press conference in Adamawa state during which he showcased an interception of a combined total of 280,135 liters of fuel cutting across the four NCS zones by the Operation Whirlwind team, worth more than N196.5 Million.
This would have been smuggled out of the country if unchecked.Shortly after the CGC’s Press Conference in Adamawa, there was another interception of 26,950 liters PMS at Ogun axis of Zone ‘A’ valued at N19 Million. It was showcased by me in a press conference at Abeokuta on the 13th of June, 2024. In less than two weeks, still in Ogun state axis, 21,810 liters of PMS were intercepted and showcased on the 24th of June, 2024, worth N17.5Million.
The successes recorded so far is a clear manifestation of the determination and resilience of the officers to achieve the goal set before them.
The CGC is showing great commitment to ensure the success of this team by partnering with relevant agencies in the oil and gas sector such as NIGERIA NATIONAL MIDSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM PETROLEUM REGULATRY AUTHORITY {NMDPRA} and ONSA to monitor the chain of supply and minimize diversion of the products.
Beside robust synergies with relevant agencies, CGC has not only increased the strength of the team, he has equally provided the necessary tools for the officers.
The team is on ground and fully prepared for the criminals. I enjoin you members of the press to create more awareness and avail us with credible intelligence so that together we shall succeed.