Operation Whirlwind, a unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, fighting smuggling of petroleum products from out of the country, has confiscated containers of the products valued at over N181 million.
The contraband, said to be destined for neighbouring countries from exit points in parts of Adamawa State, were confiscated in the last two months.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, ACG Kolapo Oladeji made the disclosure in Yola on Thursday, while addressing newsmen on the activities of his unit in Zone D, vowing that the Nigeria Customs Service would fight smugglers to a standstill.
“We will keep up the fight till we come to a point in our national life when smuggling, especially of petrol from out of the country, is seen as indeed a forbidden plague,” he said.
Giving a breakdown of the confiscated products, Kolapo Oladeji said there were 55 instances of seizure of petrol with aggregate duty paid value of N181,603,515; including 284,006 litres of PMS packed in 2,642 Jerry cans of 25 litres each; 11,256 litres of PMS deposited in a filling station; and 485 drums of 220-litre capacity each.
He added that two large wooden boats which were means of conveyance of the contraband were among the items taken away from the smugglers.
He expressed regret that daring smugglers were still in the act of attacking Customs officers doing their lawful duty but that such acts would not deter the officials.