Customs seize 1,630 ljerrycans of smuggled petrol worth N40.7m in Lagos, Ogun
Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a total of 1,630 jerrycans of 25 litres of smuggled petroleum products at various locations between Lagos and various flash
Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a total of 1,630 jerrycans of 25 litres of smuggled petroleum products at various locations between Lagos and various flash points around Badagry, Seme, Ilaro, Imeko, Owode Apa, Ajilete and other areas in Ogun State.
Addressing reporters at the Customs Training School in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, Adeniyi, who was represented by the national coordinator of the operatives, Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed that the contraband was intercepted within the last nine weeks.
The duty paid value of the PMS product seized, he said, "stands at N40.7 million."
"In the space of nine weeks, our operatives relentlessly intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across critical border communities. As a result, a total of 1,630 jerrycans of 25 litres each were intercepted across notorious smuggling routes, including Adodo, Seme, Owode Apa, Ajilete, Idjaun, Ilaro, Badagry, Idiroko and Imeko axis. The total duty paid value of the PMS is N40.7m," Adeniyi said.
He also added that the three tankers intercepted as means of conveyance were carrying, 60, 000, 45, 000 and 49, 000 liters respectively amounting to 154,000 litres of PMS.
According to him, the interception was not accidental; it was the outcome of intelligence-driven operations and the vigilant and uncompromising resolve of Operation Whirlwind in safeguarding Nigeria's economy and energy security.
"These items in question were found to have contravened the established Standard Operating Procedures of Operation Whirlwind."
He maintained that the border corridors of Owode, Seme and Badagry remain sensitive economic arteries.
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"These routes have historically been exploited for illegal cross-border petroleum movement. However, let it be clearly stated: under our watch, there will be no haven for economic sabotage," he warned.
Adeniyi stated that in accordance with the service's operational mandate and pursuant to the established inter-agency collaboration framework, "we are formally handing over to NMDPRA. This action underscores institutional synergy."
Earlier, the representative of NMDPRA, Mrs. Grace Dauda, said that the agency has the responsibility to ensure that petroleum products produced in this country are consumed here.
"Unfortunately, some businessmen try to smuggle the product out of the country," Dauda said.
On the instruction of the Comptroller General of the Service, the petroleum products were immediately auctioned to the public at an auction price of N10, 000 per 25 litres.
