The Zone A Team of Operation Whirlwind Task Force, part of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), intercepted over 26,792 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Badagry.
Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, head of Operation Whirlwind, announced the seizure during a press briefing on Monday in Seme, Lagos.
“Our team, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted 43 kegs of petrol, each containing 30 litres, totaling 1,290 litres. Additionally, a Mark tanker truck with chassis number IMIAD3840TWO03697 carrying 15,200 litres of petrol was intercepted at Jubau filling station along the Seme-Badagry road,” Ejibunu said.
He added that on June 14, a Suzuki saloon car with registration number SMK 83 BK was seized, along with a Pathfinder Jeep (Reg no: ABJ 591 DC) and a Toyota Avensis (Reg no: 1973), both of which had specially built bunkers loaded with petrol from Muse filling station. The exact quantities in these vehicles are yet to be determined.
Moreover, another 124 kegs of petrol, each containing 30 litres (totaling 3,720 litres), and 65 kegs of petrol, each containing 40 litres (totaling 2,600 litres), were intercepted. On June 19, an additional 189 kegs of petrol were seized at Timi Boy Global Venture.
“In total, we intercepted over 26,792 litres of petrol,” Ejibunu stated.
He highlighted that since its inception, Operation Whirlwind has had a significant impact across all zones, with the team intercepting 26,950 litres of PMS worth N19 million during its maiden news conference at Customs Command Abeokuta, just two weeks after its launch.
Efforts to curb illegal smuggling of PMS in Zone A have resulted in the interception of 21,810 litres of PMS. Ejibunu emphasized the adverse effects of smuggling, including the disruption of the petroleum supply chain to designated states and filling stations. Intelligence indicates that diverted petroleum products often end up in neighboring countries and are used by bandits and other groups undermining national security.
Operation Whirlwind was established in May 2024 by Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, in collaboration with the National Security Adviser, to combat the persistent smuggling of petrol.
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