Customs seized 26,950 litres of PMS in Ogun, Lagos
The National Coordinator of the Nigeria Customs Service’s ‘Operation Whirlwind team,’ Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, revealed on Thursday that the command has seized 26,950 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol, valued at N19 million, within two weeks of its operations in Ogun and Lagos States.
Comptroller Ejibunu shared this information during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta, while providing an overview of the team’s activities over the past two weeks.
He explained that the intercepted petrol, which was intended for smuggling out of the country, was found in vehicles and accompanied by the sealing of the fuel stations from which it was purchased. A total of 3,025 liters was seized at a fueling station along the Badagry – Seme Road in Lagos State, and 22,925 liters were intercepted at three different fueling stations along the Imeko-Obada road of the Ilara – Iwoye Border, the Owode-Atan road along the Idiroko border, and the Owode – Ilaro road.
The affected petrol stations are Seayab Petroleum along Imeko, Quawiyan Resource Petroleum LTD along Owode, and Julanky Oil and Gas along Owode-Ilaro Road.
Comptroller Ejibunu disclosed that a truck carrying 77 drums of PMS with registration number 9504244D was seized in the bush along Imeko, Obada road on Friday 7th of June, 2024.
The driver of the truck according to him are under protective custody.
He said, “seventy-seven drums of PMS (66 kegs of 25 litres each) equivalent to 15,400 litres at SEAYAB PETROLEUM along Imeko /Obada road in Ogun state. The means of conveyance is a truck with the Reg. No 9504244D on Friday 7th of June, 2024.
“100 kegs of PMS at 25 litres each, equivalent to 2500 litres at QUAWIYAN RESOURCE PETROLEUM NIG. LTD along Owode / Atan road in Ogun State. Means of conveyance, One Toyota Camry with Ch. No. 4TIBE3KXU672540 on Saturday 8th June .2024
“141 kegs of PMS at 25 litres each equivalent to 6025 litres at JULANKY OIL & GAS along Owode /llaro road in Ogun state. Means of conveyance Toyota Avalon cars with Ch. NO. 4TIBE28B72266597 and 4TIBF28B33298190 on Saturday 8 June, 2024,” he said.
The Comptroller, however, cautioned large truck owners to be careful of who they lend their vehicles to for businesses, warning that if found will all face the law.
He also warned those perpetrating this dastardly act to desist or have themselves to blame.
Commenting on the arrest of any suspects with regards to the seizure, Ejibunu said NCS would be interfacing with the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to ascertain whether those fuel stations sealed for collaborating with smugglers on this matter were properly licenced or not.
“And if they were genuinely licensed by the DPR, owners of those fuel stations will be prosecuted for contravening the law accordingly”.
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