The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it would intensify clampdown on fuel stations along border towns as part of efforts to curb the smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol.
This is as the service also seized 1,577 Jerrycans of petrol, 25 litres each, amounting to 39,425 litres Southwest and arrested four suspected smugglers.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this while showcasing some seized PMS products at the Training College/ Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja on Friday.
The CG who was represented at the event by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Mr Hussein Ejibunu, said that the essence of profiling the filling stations around the borders is to dictate moribund and active fuel stations to identify the ones used for smuggling.
“And that is the essence of why we have to identify filling stations that are close to the border, that are moribund, those that are active so that we will know those that Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority will give license to,” Mr Adeniyi said.
According to him, fuel stations found wanting would be submitted to Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDRA) for necessary actions.
“I have just mentioned that there are many and those that were found guilty would be dealt with by NMDRA. It’s not for Customs to do; we are not the ones who issued their license,” he said.
Giving details on the seizure, Mr Adeniyi highlighted that a total of 1,577 Jerrycans of PMS 25 litres each, amounting to 39,425 litres, were seized, as well as eight vehicles used for conveyance.
“The duty paid value of the product stands at N39.425 million and that of the means of conveyance stands at N24 million, cumulatively amounting to 63.425 million,” he said.
He added that a total of four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
“We have two in court right now and we have two that we are still investigating to know if they are directly or remotely connected to the crime,” he added.
“Since the commencement of Operation Whirlwind in the past year, we have not fired a shot. If we see that the situation will be becoming chaotic, we invite the military. Like it happened somewhere in Mudi. Within 10 minutes, the military came and immediately they sighted the military, all of them dropped their weapons and ran away,” he said.
Speaking at the event, a representative from the NMDRA, Mr. Patrick Musa, lauded Operation Whirlwind for their efforts, stating that the interception of the products has reduced the fuel supply to criminal elements.