OPERATION WHIRLWIND: SMUGGLING PUSHES PETROL PRICE T N900 – CUSTOMS
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Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind for the Nigeria Customs Service, claims that the price of Petrol Motor Spirit items has increased to ₦900 a liter due to smuggling.
This was disclosed by Ejibunu at the same time that he announced the recovery of 26,950 liters of petroleum products that were being smuggled into the Republic of Benin for around ₦19 million.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its most recent report on PMS, customers paid an average retail price of ₦701 for gasoline in April 2024, which represents a 176.02% increase over the amount reported in April 2023 (₦254.06).
At the moment, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited offers gasoline at a pump for less than ₦600 per liter.
During a news conference at the Nigeria Customs Service’s Ogun State Command Office in Abeokuta, the state capital, he stated that the smugglers’ operations often contribute to the nation’s fictitious shortage of petroleum goods, which drives up prices.
Giving more information on the team’s efforts, he stated that in less than two weeks, the seized petroleum products—which totaled 26,950 liters and were contained in 978 kegs of 25 liters each—were impounded in Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service, which includes the states of Lagos and Ogun.
He said that the special squad was set up two weeks ago by the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, to add bite to efforts aimed at cracking down on the criminals smuggling petroleum products outside the country.
“In just about two weeks of operation, the Operation Whirlwind team, Zone A axis intercepted 26,950 litres of premium motor spirit worth N19m,” he said
Ejibunu said that the menace posed by the unpatriotic act of smugglers on the Nigerian economy cannot be overemphasised, hence, the need for synergy with other relevant agencies to win the fight against the saboteurs.
Ejibunu disclosed further that “121 kegs of PMS of 25 litres equivalent to 3025 litres was intercepted at Oyinkansola Global Concept along Badagry/Seme road in Lagos State on 31st of May 2024.
“77 drums of PMS (616 kegs of 25 litres) equivalent to 15, 400 litres was seized on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Seayab Petroleum along Imeko/Obada road in Ogun State. The means of conveyance is a truck with the registration number 95D4244D”.
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He further stated that another 100 kegs of PMS of 25 litres equivalent to 2500 litres, was impounded on Saturday, June 8 along Owode/Atan Road, Ogun State while an equivalent of 6,025 litres consisting of 141 kegs of 25 litres, was seized at Julankoly Oil and Gas along Owode/Ilaro road.
Ejibunu said that the petroleum stations involved in the criminal activities have been sealed up while their owners will be prosecuted.
He urged everyone involved in illegal acts that undermine the nation’s economy to either repent or face consequences under the current legal system, stating that the seized merchandise would be condemned and put up for auction shortly due to its combustible nature.
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