Customs Intercepts Benin Republic-bound 39,425 Litres Of Petrol

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 39,425 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol worth N39.42 million.

While showcasing some seized PMS products at the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja oyesterday, the comptroller-general of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the products were seized across various flashpoints around Ilaro, Imeko, Badagry, Owode, Ajilete.

According to him, the products were to be smuggled to neighboring country, Benin Republic. The Customs boss, who was represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Hussein Ejibunu said, the Service will commence profiling fuel stations along the border stations.
The CGC explained that the essence is to dictate moribund and active fuel stations in a bid 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 ones that are active so that we will know those that Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority will give license to,” Adeniyi said.

He stressed that, fuel stations found wanting would be submitted to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for necessary actions.

“I have just mentioned that there are many and that those that were found guilty would be dealt with by NMDPRA. It’s not for customs to do; we are not the ones who issued their license,” the CGC said.
Giving details on the seizure, Adeniyi highlighted that, a total of 1,577 Jerrycans of PMS 25 liters each, amounting to 39,425 liters, were seized, as well as eight vehicles used for conveyance.

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‘The duty paid value of the product stands at N39.4m and that of the means of conveyance stands at N24m, cumulatively amounting to N63,425m,’ 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.’

According to Adeniyi, 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.”

Earlier, a representative from the NMDPRA, Patrick Musa, lauded Operation Whirlwind for their efforts, stating that, the interception of the products has reduced the fuel supply to criminal elements.