The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has transferred an intercepted shipment of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This handover occurred at the Customs warehouse within the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command.
Officials present included Deputy Comptroller Nkeiruka Nwala, Acting Customs Area Controller, and Joy Okor-Odey, NMDPRA State Coordinator. Mahmood Bello, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, highlighted that the exercise reflects the commitment of Customs to prevent the illegal diversion of petroleum products, which threatens national economic security.
According to Bello, the intercepted LPG was intended for legal domestic use. He indicated that this handover also involved the public auction of 245 jerry cans of petrol, which totaled 6,125 liters and carried a duty-paid value of N6.135 million. The petrol was seized in areas identified as flashpoints for illegal activities, including Ekairoa and Sakansi.
Bello emphasized that the operation’s aim was to ensure that petroleum products are handled in compliance with regulatory standards and to combat illegal activities that disrupt supply chains.
Deputy Comptroller Nwala stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in the fight against petroleum smuggling and called for continued efforts to protect national economic interests. She noted that the formal handover underscores the need for regulatory compliance and effective coordination within the sector.
Also addressing the media, Okor-Odey praised the initiative as a significant example of cooperation between agencies. She pointed out the critical role of LPG in powering homes and businesses, warning against the serious implications of illegal diversions on consumers and the economy.
Okor-Odey confirmed that preliminary investigations had concluded, with the implicated company having paid the relevant administrative fines. She assured that the handed-over LPG would be handled in line with safety standards, citing the product’s volatile nature as a reason for strict safety compliance.
