15,375 Litres Of Petrol Seized By Operation Whirlwind Auctioned In Ilorin
The 15,375 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized by customs officers attached to ‘Operation Whirlwind’ in the Kwara Command of the Nigeria Customs Service have been auctioned.
Customs officers seized the 15,375 litres of PMS in Kaiama, Shiya, Kenu, Boriya, Luma, Baruten, Ilesha-Baruba, Taberu, and Salla-Gwanara in Kwara State.
Team@orientactualmags.com reports that the auction exercise was carried out by the Nigeria Customs Service at the headquarters of the Kwara Area Command in Ilorin on Wednesday.
Recall that ‘Operation Whirlwind’ was launched in May 2024 to fight illegal trade of petroleum products across the nation’s borders and the exercise is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
National Coordinator of ‘Operation Whirlwind’, Mr Mahmud Bello Ishidi, a Deputy Controller of Customs (DCCS), said the seizures were carried out with precision, diligence, and operational effectiveness.
Putting the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the 15,375 litres of PMS at N15,375,000.00), he noted that the seizures demonstrated the resolute dedication of Operation Whirlwind to upholding the laws and policies designed to safeguard Nigeria’s strategic resources and ensure that they are managed in a way that serves the collective interest of all the citizens.
Ishidi also emphasized that the smuggling of petroleum products constitutes a serious act of economic sabotage noting that beyond depriving the nation of critical revenue, it also distorts the supply chain, leading to scarcity and inflated costs that unfairly burden honest Nigerians.
The unlawful activity also according to him strengthens organized criminal networks, weakens the integrity of our borders, and poses a broader threat to national security.
Mr Mahmud Bello Ishidi, who noted that he was recently appointed as head of the Operation Whirlwind, promised to build on the achievements of the petrol anti-smuggling squad while promising to prioritize stronger coordination, intelligence-led interventions, and effective supervision.
‘As the newly appointed National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to providing purposeful and strategic leadership, enhancing operational effectiveness, and consolidating on the gains and achievements already recorded by the operation.
Under my leadership, we shall prioritize stronger coordination, intelligence-led interventions, effective supervision, and a result-driven operational framework to further strengthen our mandate. Our collective efforts will remain focused on achieving the core objectives of Operation Whirlwind with greater efficiency, discipline, and measurable impact’ he added
He urged the general public, particularly those residing in border communities, to sustain their cooperation with security agencies by providing credible and real-time information noting that ‘the fight against smuggling is a collective responsibility’.
Acting Controller, Kwara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Mr. Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, commended Operation Whirlwind for the successes recorded, noting that it has demonstrated tremendous effort and commitment to fighting the illegal trade of petroleum products across the nation’s borders.-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
