The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over an intercepted consignment of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The handover took place on Friday at the warehouse of the Customs Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command.
It was witnessed by Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Nkeiruka Nwala, and NMDPRA State Coordinator, Mrs Joy Okor-Odey.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Mahmood Bello, said the exercise demonstrated Customs’ commitment to preventing illegal diversion of petroleum products.
He said the products were intended for legitimate domestic consumption and that their diversion threatened national economic security.
Bello disclosed that the exercise also featured the public auction of 245 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), containing 6,125 litres.
He said the products were intercepted at identified flashpoints, including Ekairoa, Sakansi, Abaka and Yukongo.
According to him, the auction had a total duty-paid value of N6.135 million.
Bello said the interceptions and subsequent handover aimed to ensure petroleum products were transported, distributed and utilised according to established regulatory guidelines.
He warned that illegal diversion and smuggling threatened national economic security, distorted legitimate supply chains and encouraged economic sabotage.
The national coordinator commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, NMDPRA and Operation Whirlwind personnel.
He urged operational commanders to strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering amid reports of possible increased petroleum product diversion and smuggling.
Also speaking, Nwala said the handover formed part of efforts to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and combat petroleum products smuggling.
She emphasised sustained cooperation among relevant agencies to protect national economic interests and ensure compliance with petroleum regulations.
Nwala said the formal transfer of the LPG consignment underscored regulatory compliance, accountability and effective coordination within the petroleum sector.
She commended NMDPRA representatives and other stakeholders for partnering with Customs to tackle economic crimes.
In her remarks, Okor-Odey described the handover as a practical demonstration of inter-agency cooperation and regulatory responsibility.
She said the exercise would help ensure LPG reached legitimate domestic, commercial and industrial consumers.
She said: “LPG is not just a product; it is energy for homes, businesses and industries.
“When LPG is diverted or illegally transported, it can have serious consequences for consumers and the economy.”
Okor-Odey warned individuals and companies involved in illegal petroleum product diversion that the authority would not tolerate activities undermining product availability.
She disclosed that preliminary investigations had been completed and the concerned company had paid the applicable administrative penalty.
The coordinator assured that the handed-over LPG would be handled professionally in accordance with established safety standards.
She cited the product’s volatile nature as a reason for strict adherence to safety requirements.
Okor-Odey pledged continued collaboration with Customs and other security agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing and petroleum regulatory enforcement. (NAN)
