Customs intercepts 21,810 litres of smuggled PMS, arrests bunkerers in Lagos

Adewale Akintaro

In a major push against petrol smuggling syndicate, the Nigeria Customs Service’s Operation Whirlwind, has seized 21,810 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, and arrested a tanker and bunkerers along the Seme-Badagry Road in Lagos State
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, stated that the operation conducted on Tuesday, was based on credible intelligence and aimed to disrupt the illegal smuggling of petroleum products outside Nigeria.
Ejibunu listed the seized items to include 189 kegs laden with smuggled PMS, a Marc petrol tanker containing over 25,200 liters of PMS, and several vehicles with specially built bunkers loaded with PMS.
He hailed the operation as a significant success in the fight against smuggling, emphasizing its impact on national security and economic growth, and urged Nigerians to support the NCS by providing timely information to aid in the crackdown on petrol smuggling.
“The Operation Whirlwind teams’ effort geared towards curtailing the menace of illegal smuggling of PMS product in Zone ‘A’ axis resulted in the interception of 21,810 litres of PMS.
“The devastating effects of smuggling are numerous as it causes distortion in the supply chain of petroleum products to designated states and filling stations as revealed based on credible intelligence.”
The Customs Comptroller also stated that the 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 the country.

The containers of petrol seized by the Customs
He said: “Among the items seized are 43 kegs of PMS, 30 litres each equivalent to 1,290 litres and one Marc tanker with chassis no: IMIAD3840TW003697 containing 15,200 litres of PMS at Jubau Filling Station along Seme Badagry Road.

“Others are, one Suzuki salon car with Reg no: SMK83BK, on 14 June 2024. One Pathfinder SUV with Reg no: ABJ591DC and one Toyota Avensis with specially built bunkers loaded with PMS at Muse filling station; 124 kegs of PMS 30 Litres each equivalent to 3,720 Litres; 65 kegs of PMS of 40 litres each equivalent to 2,600 litres. A total of 189 kegs of PMS were intercepted at Timi Boy Global Venture on 19th June 2024.