The Zone A Team of Operation Whirlwind Task Force of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted over 26,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly referred to as petroleum, in less than two weeks of its existence in Ogun and Lagos states.
This is just as the Whirlwind Task Force Team set up by office of the Controller General of NCS, Comptroller Bashir Adewale Adeniyi in close collaboration with office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) also sealed off four fuel stations for allegedly engaging in acts of economic sabotage by aiding and abetting fuel smuggling out of Nigeria to neighbouring countries.
National coordinator of the NCS’ Whirlwind Task Force team for Zone A axis, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde, disclosed these while briefing newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, about the activities of his team between 31st of May 2024 and June 8, 2924, when it came into existence in the two states.
Kehinde explained that a total number of 3,025 litres was intercepted at a fueling station along the Badagry – Seme Road in Lagos State; a total number of 22,925 litres was intercepted in three different fueling stations along Imeko – Obada Road of the Ilara – Iwoye border; Owode – Stan Road along the Idiroko border, as well as the Owode – Ilaro Road.
Disclosing that one of the smugglers was caught at one of the fueling stations where he was loading the product into his car for an onward movement to the neighbouring country, Ejibunu further stated that the PMS was neatly concealed in drums and jerricans with each weighing 25kg.
Commenting on the arrest of any suspects with regards to the seizure, Ejibunu said NCS would be interfacing with the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to ascertain whether those fuel stations sealed for collaborating with smugglers on this matter were properly licensed or not.
“And if they were genuinely licensed by the DPR, owners of those fuel stations will be prosecuted for contravening the law accordingly”.
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