Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Kwara and Niger States said it has intercepted 67,000 liters of petroleum motor spirit (PMS) in the two states.
It put the worth of seizures at N84.8 million.
It added that the seized PMS had been sold at giveaway prices to the general public.
Leader of the operation, Comptroller Hussaini Ejibunu in a statement said that “one suspect was apprehended in connection with these smuggling activities and was granted administrative bail.”
The exercise commenced in May 2024.
Ejibunu said that Operation Whirlwind exercise “has no doubt saved the country huge resources and enhanced national security as the smuggling of PMS out of the country through Kwara land borders has been considerably curtailed.
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“Our operatives consisting of enforcement officers and the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) covering the Niger/Kwara axis have continued to record a large number of seizures and arrests.
“On 17th and 18th September, My team along the Gwanara axis of the state, intercepted 38 and 61 Kegs of 25 liters of PMS respectively, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) en route Benin Republic with a duty paid value of N2, 970,000.
“Similarly, on Monday, September 30th, a team of officers led by Chief Superintendent of Customs Waziri Mohammed at about 11:30pm around Gure/kusoboso intercepted 90 kegs of 25 liters of PMS with a duty paid value of N2,700,000.”
He added some notable seizures made by the operatives include two trucks marked FST-524 XG and JJJ-14-XQ respectively stocked with 33,000 liters each, filled with PMS all intended for smuggling out with a duty paid value of N79.2 million.
Ejibunu warned smugglers to desist from their wicked acts or risk arrest.
