From Rotimi Asher, Lagos
Nigeria Customs Service ,NCS, through Operation Whirlwind, yesterday reduced the value of seized Premium Motor Spirit ,PMS, from N39.4m to N15.8m—marking a 59.9% cut.
This is as the service announced the seizure of eight vehicles valued at N24m during the operation.
Assistant Comptroller General ,ACG, Hussein Ejibunu, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, disclosed this in a statement.
Speaking at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Ejibunu described the seizure as a significant victory in the ongoing fight against economic sabotage.
“There is no haven for smugglers or economic saboteurs. We will continue to disrupt their activities and reduce them to the barest minimum”, he declared.
According to Ejibunu, “Operatives intercepted 1,577 jerrycans of 25 litres each—totalling 39,425 litres of PMS—along with eight vehicles used for transportation”.
He stated that the seizures occurred in smuggling hotspots, including “Ilaro, Imeko, Badagry, Owode, and Ajilete”, adding that investigations revealed the products were bound for illegal export to the Benin Republic.
He noted that the duty-paid value of the fuel stood at “N39.4m”, while the vehicles were valued at “N24m”, bringing the total to N63.4m.
Ejibunu commended the officers’ commitment and highlighted the progress recorded within a year of launching the operation.
He said, “It may interest you to know that in just one year, significant milestones have been achieved across all zones. This is due to the commitment, discipline, and resilience of the operatives”.
To ensure direct public benefit, he announced the immediate auction of the N39.4m seized fuel at a subsidised rate of N10,000 per jerrycan, as approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
An analysis revealed that with 1,577 jerrycans auctioned at N10,000 each, the Customs Service expects to generate N15.8m.
However, due to the auction rate, Nigeria loses 59.9% of the product’s value—amounting to N47.6m from the initial worth of N39.4m.
Ejibunu also acknowledged the support of key stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser ,ONSA, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority ,NMDPRA, and the Office of the Attorney General.
Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘A’, ACG Charles Orbih, applauded the success of Operation Whirlwind.
“This landmark achievement reflects the determination and unwavering commitment of our officers to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic and national security”, he said.
