From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Operatives of the Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service Zone A Axis, have intercepted and seized 26,950 litres of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol concealed to be illegally smuggled out of the country through Ogun State.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, who made this known while briefing newsmen at the Ogun Area II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Quarry Road, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Thursday, said that the seizure was made under two weeks the operation was inaugurated by the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
He explained that the special task force was set up in collaboration with the National Security Adviser to put an end to the ever-growing monster of unwholesome illegal exportation of petroleum products.
Ejibunu added that competent and dedicated officers that made up the squad had been drafted from various customs formations and given prerequisite training before being dispatched to the four customs zones.
He noted that the products that are worth N19m were intercepted and seized in some petrol stations in border communities of Ogun and Lagos States.
Giving the breakdown of the seizures, Ejibunu informed the newsmen that 121 kegs of PMS of 25 litres each equivalent of 3,025 litres and two cars which served as means of conveyance were seized at the Oyinkansola Global Concept along Badagry/Seme Road, Lagos State.
He added that 77 drums of PMS equivalent to 15,400 litres and a truck was intercepted and seized by the squad at Seayab Petroleum along Imeko/Obada-Idi Emi Road, Ogun State, on June 7, 2024.
“100 kegs of PMS of 25 litres each equivalent to 2,500 litres were also seized at Quawiyan Resources Petroleum Nig. Ltd along Owode/Atan Road. One Toyota Camry which was used in conveying the products was also confiscated on June 8, 2024.
On the day at another petrol station named Julanky Oil and Gas along Owode/Ilaro, Ogun State, 141 kegs of PMS of 25 litres each equivalent to 6,025 litres and two Toyota Avalon cars were seized.
“Moving forward, more success will be recorded by the team taking into consideration the commitment of the NCS management to fine-tune certain areas for easy monitoring of distribution channel of products to the various states and filling stations,” Ejibunu stated.
He, however, warned perpetrators in the illegal exportation of petroleum products to desist from the dastardly act or be prepared to bear the full weight of the laws.