Nigeria Custom’s Service’s Operation Wildwind has intercepted (1,481) one thousand four hundred and eighty-one Kegs and 20 drums of PMS, containing twenty-five liters each and two hundred and twenty litres each respectively, which translates into (41,425) forty-one thousand four hundred and twenty-five liters of PMS together with nine means of conveyance with cumulative duty paid value of forty-eight million, five hundred and forty-seven thousand, five hundred naira only (N48,547,500).
The National Coordinator of the Special Operation, Comptroller Huseini Kolawole Ejibunu disclosed that the operation is being jointly coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and NCS in synergy with NMDPRA a regulatory authority in the Oil & Gas sector.
He stated that the interceptions were made in different dates and locations across Mubi-Sahuda road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha road, Agwuwa Tana- Bakin Kogi axis and other places within zone D.
He explained that in collaboration with NMDPRA, Wildwind 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.
Ejibunu noted that in line with the CG’s mandate to curtail the smuggling and diversion of the PMS products, Operation Wildwind had repositioned all its operatives across the frontiers despite all threats such as assault and harassment from the economic saboteurs as
seen and witnessed in some social platforms. “This will not hinder us from discharging our statutory duties. We will not relent in this fight until we bring smuggling activities to hold,” he stressed..
He assured patriotic Nigerians and the genuine oil marketers that the fight is against the illicit oil marketers and the economic saboteurs as the team is out to facilitate legitimate trade as enshrined in the NCS Act, 2023.
“All legitimate oil marketers are encouraged to go out with their normal businesses without fear of molestation and confiscation of their products. The successes recorded so far is predicated on the enabling environment and the unwavering efforts of the Management of Nigeria Customs Service under the stewardship of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR. The cooperation and strong support from Adamawa/Taraba Area Command and other units of the service such as FOU ‘D’, CIU, SIS alongside other security agencies equally played a vital role in this accomplishments,” he asserted.
He warned members of the PMS smuggling cartels to have a re-think and better go into legitimate businesses because his team will continue to go after them as economic saboteurs, as there’s no place for their illegal activities.
He added that the illegal exportation of Nigeria’s PMS to neighbouring countries will not be tolerated by Nigeria Customs Service.