by The Ajasa News | March 3, 2025 5:40 pm
In a significant blow to petroleum smugglers, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of 245,370 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at NGN 238,140,000 under Operation Whirlwind. This special operation, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), aims to combat the persistent smuggling of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders.
The NCS has been working tirelessly to address the fluid national challenge that threatens Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and energy security. Despite government efforts to stabilize the domestic petroleum sector through market reforms and supply chain enhancements, criminal networks continue to exploit regional economic disparities for illicit profit.
The seizures made under Operation Whirlwind are a testament to the NCS’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and ensuring national security. The operation has significantly intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across critical border corridors nationwide, yielding remarkable results in less than three months.
Previous successes under Operation Whirlwind include the interception of 199,495 liters of PMS valued at NGN 199,495,000 in Adamawa State on January 30, 2025, and an additional 45,875 liters worth NGN 38,645,000 in Kwara State on February 17, 2025.
The NCS’s efforts to combat petroleum smuggling are crucial in addressing the significant price disparities across regional borders, which remain the fundamental catalyst for this illicit trade. By disrupting smuggling networks and ensuring fuel reaches its intended destinations, the NCS is working to reduce smuggling activities, provide a more stable and prosperous future for all Nigerians, and safeguard Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and national interests.
Source URL: https://theajasanews.com/nigeria-customs-service-cracks-down-on-petroleum-smuggling/
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