Nigeria Customs Service has seized 500 25-litre jerry cans and two drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, at various flashpoints on Babana border in Niger State.
The seizure, with an estimated duty-paid value of over N25.9 million, was announced during a news conference at the Nigeria Customs Niger-Kogi Command headquarters in Minna yesterday.
The intercepted products were hidden in vehicles and containers in key smuggling routes, including Kabe-Tunga-Madugu Road, Kabe-Kibera Road, Dekara-Gedang-Zana Road, and Babana-Gwarizo Road.
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Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Hussein Ejibunu, who also serves as the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind Nationwide, a special task force against PMS smuggling emphasised the dangerous implications of smuggling petrol out of Nigeria, stating that such illegal activity fuels insecurity and economic sabotage.
He said: “Smuggling of PMS is detrimental to the survival of Nigeria. It has economic disadvantages and security disadvantages as well. It will interest you to note that most of those bandits attacking us, how do they get food, is through this means. And now it is prudence equally to believe and allow such quantum of fuel to go outside Nigeria to go into their hands.
“It means we are fueling our traducers, giving them more power and energy to come in to attack us. It is important to note that as Nigerians, it is our responsibility when you see something, you say something. Do not allow this to continue because a lot of persons within Nigeria are looking for this product, and they may not even get it.”
He noted that the seized fuel was being prepared for illegal export and stressed that the operation was made possible through intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and community support.
“This is the first time such a large seizure is happening in Niger State, and it sends a clear message that we are serious about stopping this menace,” he added.
Ejibunu said no suspect was arrested as he ran away, “I would have loved a situation where someone is arrested and we bring him to justice. I want our officers to know that your job is incomplete if you do not bring a suspect. Suspect is germane and critical towards establishing the ways and manner where these smuggled products are being taken to and who is receiving it.”
He attributed the continuous smuggling of PMS to greed.
“Our refineries are working but people still take out our fuel and sell it to people in other countries. Our PMS is for in-house consumption and not for export. Anyone who wants to export it should pass through the due process,” he said.
He said the operation also received support from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which provided technical and regulatory guidance.
Customs Area Controller, Niger-Kogi Command, Pascal Chibuoke, appealed for more support for officers such as patrol vehicles and communication tools, especially with the presence of terrorists at Babana.
“This seizure demonstrates what can be achieved when agencies and communities work together. With continued support and proper logistics, we can reduce this problem to the barest minimum,” he said.
The seized PMS were announced for public auction as the National Coordinator of Operation Wild Wind Nationwide declared that it would be sold at N10,000 per jerry cans.