..Intercepts One Mark- Tanker, Other Vehicles Concealing PMS
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service Special Operations Team (Operation Whirlwind) has intercepted over 22,810 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), one Mark Tanker, other vehicles Concealing fuel out of the country through Seme-Badagry Axis.
Comptroller HK Ejibunu, the National Coordinator of the tactical team, disclosed this at the second occasion of press briefing(Operation Whirlwind Team Zone ‘A’ Axis) held on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Seme Area Command Warehouse, revealing that some suspects were arrested and some filling stations have been sealed for violating the rules guiding petroleum activities.
He highlighted the seized petroleum products to include- 43 kegs of PMS 30 Litres Each equivalent to 1290 Litres; One mark truck/ tanker with chassis no: IMIAD3840TW003697 Containing 15,200 Litres of PMS at Jubau Filling Station along Seme-Badagry road; A means of conveyance one Suzuki salon with Reg no: SMK 83 Bk; One Pathfinder Jeep with Reg no: ABJ 591 DC and one Toyota Avensis with Reg no: 1973 with both specially built Bunkers and loaded with PMS at Muse filling station dated 18th June 2024. “Though, we are yet to ascertain the Litres in each of the vehicles”, he hinted.
Other seizures according to him are -124 kegs of PMS 30Litres Each equivalent to 3,720 Litres; 65 kegs of PMS of 40 Litres Each equivalent to 2,600 Litres. “In total, 189 kegs of PMS was intercepted at TIMI BOY GLOBAL VENTURE. All seized items are intercepted between June 14th and 19th June 2024”.
Recalling how the tactical team has impacted tremendously in all the zones based on statistically verified records and value of PMS being intercepted since it’s inception, Comptroller Ejibunu stated that operation whirlwind team had earlier intercepted 26,950 Litres of Premium motor spirit worth ₦19 million, this according to him was showcased in it’s maiden edition press conference held at Customs Command Abeokuta barely two weeks after inauguration.
He also noted that the teams’ effort geared towards curtailing the menace of illegal smuggling of PMS product in Zone ‘A’ axis, had also resulted in the interception of 21,810 Litres of PMS product.
Similarly, he stated that fuel smuggling has caused distortion in the supply chain of Petroleum products to designated states and filling stations as revealed based on credible intelligence.
“In most instances, PMS product were diverted to neighboring countries. However, this unwholesome practice often contributes tremendously to insecurity as diverted Petroleum products were found to be used by bandits and other notorious groups undermining the internal sovereignty of our nation,”Comptroller Ejibunu said.
While fielding questions from journalists on the fate of the Sealed filling stations and the arrested suspects, the National Coordinator of the team revealed that the sealed filling stations were caught dispensing fuel at three points outside the filling stations using illegal means extending dispenser to closer buildings through the use of hose. “They shall be punished according to Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Act, they should stop hiding under deregulation. We have some arrest and we will Prosecute them according to the law. Price disparity from one country to another led to all these abnormalities,” he stated.
