From Edem Archibong, in Càlabar
The Nigeria Customs Service operating under Operation Whirlwind, Zone C in Calabar, the Cross River State Area Command has impounded 466,000 liters of Petroleum Motor Spirits worth about N380 million from smugglers who planned to lift the products from the shore of Nigeria to other countries through Calabar.
This is all in plots to cause artificial scarcity of the petroleum products within the state during this Yuletide period.
This information was disclosed by the National Coordinator, Compt. H C. Ejibunu during an interactive session with the media in Calabar over the activities of the command for the past seven months.
The custom boss revealed that this approach has helped to maintain local fuel supplies within the state while also addressing economic sabotage linked to illegal fuel smuggling.
The Comptroller further explained that the effort has contributed immensely to stabilize fuel price across the country, ensuring that allocated petroleum products reach their designated destinations.
Recall that Operation Whirlwind is initiative of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) BA Adeniyi in collaboration with the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Nigeria Midstream, Downstream, Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) inaugurated in May 2024 to combat fuel smuggling.
Giving an insight of Operation Whirlwind, Ejibuno stated that for the last one month, the Operation Whirlwind Zone C has made a seizure of 6,200 liters of PMS set for illegal smuggling.