The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has declared an all-out war against smugglers, identifying them as obstacles to Nigeria’s economic progress.
According to The PUNCH, this bold declaration was made on Wednesday in Yola, Adamawa State, during a briefing on the status of ‘Operation Whirlwind’, a special initiative aimed at combating the smuggling of petroleum products across the nation’s borders.
In Adeniyi’s stead, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Enforcement, Investigations, and Inspections, Olaniyi Olajogun, shared key updates on the operation’s successes.
He revealed that two filling stations—Oilpad Global Services Limited, situated opposite Yola International Airport, and Gawi Oil Nigeria Limited on Numan Road—had been penalized by a court for participating in smuggling activities.
Both stations were involved in illegal dealings with Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol. The seized fuel was subsequently sold to the public at ₦630 per litre.
Olajogun further elaborated on the initiative’s collaborative efforts, noting that ‘Operation Whirlwind’, launched in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser, has made considerable headway in halting the unlawful exportation of fuel.
He emphasized the growing impact of the operation, stating, “Operation Whirlwind, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), continues to record significant successes in stopping the illegal exportation of petroleum products.”
The anti-smuggling campaign has led to a significant number of seizures since its inception.
Olajogun pointed out that the operation initially captured 150,950 litres of PMS, valued at ₦105.96 million.
This early success, as first reported by Adeniyi during his maiden address, marked the beginning of intensified efforts.
“I am pleased to inform you that our efforts have since intensified, resulting in further successes across multiple border regions,” Olajogun announced, reflecting the Customs’ commitment to tightening border control.
Recent operations have resulted in the confiscation of two trucks, each containing 33,000 litres of PMS, as well as 1,046 jerricans, each with a 25-litre capacity, and 12 drums of 200 litres capacity filled with PMS, all intended for smuggling.
These seizures amounted to a total of 94,550 litres of fuel, valued at ₦75.45 million.
Additionally, one suspect linked to these smuggling activities in Adamawa has been taken into custody and is being held in Abuja for further investigation.
The National Coordinator of ‘Operation Whirlwind’, Comptroller Kehinde Ejibune, praised the unwavering support provided by the Comptroller-General and expressed confidence that the continuous crackdown would eventually push smugglers out of business.
Ejibune also highlighted the cooperation between Customs officers and other security agencies, stating that their joint efforts are strengthening the economy and playing a role in alleviating poverty across Nigeria.
This ongoing campaign represents a pivotal step toward securing Nigeria’s borders and safeguarding its economic interests from the negative impact of fuel smuggling, a practice that undermines both national security and development.
