Customs Chief Declares War on Smugglers, Brings Relief to Nigeria
In a bold move, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has launched a total war on smugglers, labeling them as "enemies of Nigeria’s development." This announcement marks a significant escalation in the fight against illegal petroleum smuggling in Nigeria.
Adeniyi’s strong stance was conveyed during an update on Operation Whirlwind, a strategic initiative designed to curb the illegal smuggling of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders. The operation has already yielded impressive results, with significant seizures and arrests made since its inception.
According to Deputy Comptroller-General of Enforcement, Investigations, and Inspections, Olaniyi Olajogun, two filling stations in Adamawa—Oilpad Global Services Limited and Gawi Oil Nigeria Limited—have been fined by a court for their involvement in smuggling activities. The Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized from these stations was auctioned to the public at ₦630 per litre.
Operation Whirlwind, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has confiscated 94,550 litres of PMS, valued at ₦75.45 million, during its latest crackdown. This included two trucks loaded with 33,000 litres of PMS each, 1,046 jerricans with 25 litres capacity, and 12 drums containing 200 litres of PMS. One suspect was arrested in connection with these smuggling attempts and is currently in custody in Abuja.
Adeniyi previously announced the seizure of 150,950 litres of PMS worth ₦105.96 million during the operation’s initial phase. Since then, the efforts have intensified, with Customs officers working in coordination with other security agencies to combat smuggling.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Kehinde Ejibune, expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Comptroller-General. He emphasized that the collaboration between Customs and other security agencies is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economy and reducing poverty by shutting down smuggling operations.
With the Customs chief’s bold declaration, Nigeria is taking a significant step towards addressing its smuggling woes and protecting its economy. The public’s support is crucial in this fight, and it is hoped that the seized fuel will bring relief to many Nigerians who have suffered from the shortage of fuel in recent times.
