The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu, announced the seizure of 26,950 litres of petroleum products being smuggled out of Nigeria into the Republic of Benin. The confiscated products, valued at N19 million, were intercepted in Lagos and Ogun states within two weeks.
Ejibunu explained that the seized petroleum products, consisting of 978 kegs of 25 litres each, were impounded by a special squad established by the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi. The squad was set up to intensify efforts against the smuggling of petroleum products, which contributes to artificial scarcity and inflated prices in the country.
READ ALSO
Nigeria Customs Service’s Apapa Command Confident of Meeting N2.3 Trillion Revenue Target
Nigeria Customs Service Arrests 20 Suspected Smugglers Including Fake Customs Officer, Seizes N2.3 Billion Worth of Contraband
During a press briefing at the NCS Ogun State Command office in Abeokuta, Ejibunu detailed several interceptions. These included 3,025 litres of PMS intercepted along the Badagry/Seme road in Lagos, 15,400 litres seized along the Imeko/Obada road in Ogun, 2,500 litres confiscated along the Owode/Atan road, and 6,025 litres seized along the Owode/Ilaro road. The means of conveyance ranged from cars to trucks.
The customs officer emphasized that the petrol stations involved in these illegal activities have been sealed and their owners will face prosecution. The seized products will soon be auctioned due to their flammable nature. Ejibunu also warned those engaging in economic sabotage to desist or face the full force of the law.
One thought on “Customs Seize 26,950 Litres of Smuggled Petroleum Worth N19m”