Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 125,000 litres of petroleum products worth N125 million in three trucks with Benin Republic registration numbers at the Tsamiya border area of Kebbi State.

The national coordinator of the operation, Assistant Controller Husseini Ejibunu, said the seizures followed credible intelligence at Tsamiya border area of Kebbi State which had been under surveillance for days in conjunction with the Kebbi Area Command.

He said this is the first time a seizure of this magnitude is made in a single operation. “It is the single largest seizure made since the beginning of Operation Whirlwind. The total seizure in litres amounts to 125,000 litres with a duty paid value of N125m.”

He also said the team intercepted three Scania trucks with Benin Republic registration numbers – BC-w7184RB, laden with Jerry-cans of 25 litres of PMS and 18 drums of 200 litres each. AT-2457RB, laden with 1,454 jerry cans of 25 litres of PMS and drums of 200 litres and the third truck, No. BV-6240RB, laden with 1,350 jerry cans of 25 litres of PMS and 18 drums of 200 litres.

Earlier, the controller, Kebbi Command, Chukumeziri Nwokorie, said with the seizures, customs  has shown its commitment in reducing smuggling to the barest minimum.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command, have also intercepted CFA 7 million, equivalent to N17 million at the border area of Ogun State.

The Area Controller, Mohammed Shuaibu, disclosed that the francophone countries’ currency new notes were intercepted on Thursday at the Idiroko border.

He explained that the customs officers who were on duty at the outward baggage hall, discovered the currency concealed in a bag en route Nigeria to the Republic of Benin.

The Area Controller handed over the cash to the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) led by Head of Investigation, EFCC Lagos Zone 2, Oguzi Moses, at the Idiroko command headquarters.

Shuaibu stated that the seized foreign currency notes, which were equivalent to $11,000, were handed over to the EFCC as it is the agency saddled with tackling illicit currency flow into Nigeria.