Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind of the Nigerian Customs Service, said smuggling of Petrol Motor Spirit products has led to prices rising to ₦900/litre.
Ejibunu disclosed this while announcing the seizure of 26,950 litres of petroleum products (worth about ₦19 million) smuggled into the Benin Republic from Nigeria
This is according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which in its latest report on PMS, said the average retail price of petrol paid by consumers in April 2024 was ₦701, an increase of ₦176.02% compared to the value recorded in April 2023 (₦254.06).
Petrol prices at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation are now below ₦600/litre at the pump. Speaking at a news conference at the Nigeria Customs Service Command Headquarters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, he said the activities of smugglers had tended to contribute to an artificial shortage of petroleum products in the country, leading to increased prices.
Elaborating further on the operations of the team, he said the seized petroleum products included 978 drums of 25 litres each totaling 26,950 litres, which were transported to Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (comprising Lagos and Ogun States) where they were confiscated for two weeks.
He said the task force was set up two weeks ago by the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi to intensify the fight against criminals smuggling petroleum products out of the country.
“In just about two weeks of operation, the Operation Whirlwind team, Zone A axis intercepted 26,950 litres of premium motor spirit worth N19m,” he said.
Ejibunu said the threat posed to the Nigerian economy by the unpatriotic acts of smugglers cannot be overstated.
Therefore, collaboration with other relevant authorities is needed to win the fight against the saboteurs.
Ejibunu also revealed that on May 31, 2024, 121 kegs of PMS, each holding 25 liters (totaling 3,025 liters), were seized at Oyinkansola Global Concept along the Badagry/Seme road in Lagos State.
“77 drums of PMS (616 kegs of 25 litres) equivalent to 15, 400 litres was seized on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Seayab Petroleum along Imeko/Obada road in Ogun State. The means of conveyance is a truck with the registration number 95D4244D”.
He further stated that 100 PMS drums of 25 litres each, equivalent to 2,500 litres, were seized on Saturday, June 8, along Owode/Atan road in Ogun State, while 141 drums each equivalent to 6,025 litres were seized.
25 litres were seized from Jurankori Oil and Gas along Owode/Ilaro road. Ejibunu said petrol stations involved in the criminal activities would be sealed off and their owners prosecuted.
