South South, South East, Comptrollers Join Forces With Ejibunu To Showcase PMS Seizures In Calabar
By Asuquo Nuwak
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and other
top officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, in southern part of the country, joined forces with the Co-ordinator of Operation Whirlwind Task Force Team, recently in Calabar to showcase its scorecard in the war against petroleum smuggling in southern eastern zone of Nigeria.
Co-ordinator of the Task Force Team, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, disclosed the seizure of N40.05 million worth of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the tune of 26,625 liters within a short period of time.
Comptroller Ejibunu, told newsmen that, “these interceptions were made in different dates and locations across Agbaragba-Ikom, Akansoko road, Ikom-Ogoja road and other places within the zone.
He said, “it is important to note that in collaboration with NMDPRA, the operatives monitor the supply and distribution chain right from the depot of loading up to the final destination (retail outlets) to ensure PMS reach its manifested destinations.
According to the report, some of the Customs Area Controllers in the south south and south east were with Comptroller Ejibunu while reading his press statement.
In the words of Comptroller Ejibunu: “As you are all aware, the terrain in south south and south east is mostly covered by rivers. Despite these challenges, we were able to record these tremendous successes. That is why it is imperative to sincerely thank the Cross River/Akwa Ibom Area Command, F.O.U Zone ‘C’ and Joint Border Patrol Team, for their continuous support towards success of this special operation and their quick response whenever we call upon them.
Comptroller Ejibunu urged members of PMS smuggling cartels to have a re-think go into legitimate businesses simply because we will continue to go after them as economic saboteurs, and as there’s no place for their illegal activities.
Besides, he noted that, the illegal exportation of Nigeria’s PMS to other neighboring countries will not be tolerated by Nigeria customs service.
Comptroller Ejibunu is quoted as saying that, “for your information this operation is jointly co-ordinated by the Office of National Security Adviser (NSA) and Nigeria Customs Service in synergy with NMDPRA, a regulatory authority in oil &Gas sector.
He said, they gathered in Calabar the Headquarters of C/River/AKWA Ibom/FTZ Area Command to showcase to the general public another milestone recorded by the operatives of Operation Whirlwind in zone ‘C’ axis.
He recalled that, just last week, he had a similar press conference in Lagos and Kebbi both in zones ‘A’ & ‘B’ respectively during which i showcased huge seizures of petroleum products. This is in continuation of our resolve to disrupt and dismantle the network of cartels and smugglers of Premium Motor Spirit.
According to him, “today marks another milestone in our fight against smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across Nigeria’s borders, you may recall the maidens press conference granted by the CGC in Yola, Adamawa State in zone ‘D’, two weeks after inauguration of the special operations on 31st may, 2024”.
In conclusion, he said, during that press conference, the CGC displayed a combined total seizure of 280,135 liters of PMS worth over 195.5million.
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