As part of efforts to curb illegal smuggling of petroleum product (PMS) in Cross River State, men of Operation Whirlwind Zone C, Nigeria Customs Service NCS, have impounded 466,000 litres of petroleum product valued at N380 million in the last seven months.
The leadership of the Operation through the national coordinator, Compt. HC Ejibunu, disclosed this in an interactive session with journalists Wednesday in Calabar.
“Statistically, Since its inception till date, a total number of 466,000 liters of PMS values at approximately ₦380 Million has been seized,” he disclosed.
He said “This has maintained local fuel supplies while also addressing Economic Sabotage linked to fuel smuggling.”
The NCS stressed that the effort has contributed immensely to stabilised fuel prices across the nation, ensuring that allocated Petroleum products reach their designated destinations.
Recalled that Operation Whirlwind is initiative of the comptroller general of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adeniyi in collaboration with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Nigeria Midstream Downstream, Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) inaugurated in May 2024 to combate fuel smuggling.
Giving an insight of Operation Whirlwind, Ejibuno stated that Operation Whirlwind Zone C has in the last one month made a seizure of 6,200 liters of PMS.
He said that the operation spanned through the entire South- South region stressing that despite the bad terrain and flooding which posed enormous challenges to the region, the unit was still performing its mandate effectively.
The NCS emphasised that this effort has contributed immensely to stabilised fuel prices across the country and ensuring that allocated Petroleum products reach their designated destinations.
“In line with the three Mandate of the CGC, which is Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation, We want to thank other agencies and Critical stakeholders that have assisted the unit to perform their duty optimally since a tree can’t form a forest,” he concluded.
