The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has vowed to wage an all-out war against smugglers, calling them obstacles to Nigeria’s progress.
Adeniyi made this commitment on Wednesday in Yola while providing updates on Operation Whirlwind, a strategic initiative designed to combat fuel smuggling along Nigeria’s borders.
Speaking through the Deputy Comptroller-General of Enforcement, Investigations, and Inspections, Olaniyi Olajogun, the CG revealed that two fuel stations in Adamawa—Oilpad Global Services Limited, near Yola International Airport, and Gawi Oil Nigeria Limited on Numan Road—were fined by a court for their involvement in smuggling activities.
The confiscated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was auctioned to the public at ₦630 per litre.
“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,” Olajogun said.
The CG also disclosed that the anti-smuggling operation has resulted in significant seizures since it began.
He said, “As you may recall, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, during his maiden address on the operation of the Petroleum Products Anti-Smuggling Team, code-named Operation Whirlwind, reported the seizure of 150,950 litres of PMS valued at ₦105.96 million. I am pleased to inform you that our efforts have since intensified, resulting in further successes across multiple border regions.”
He emphasized the recent confiscations, which included two trucks, each carrying 33,000 liters of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit), along with 1,046 jerrycans of 25 liters each and 12 drums of 200 liters, all intended for smuggling.
In total, 94,550 liters of PMS, valued at ₦75.45 million, were seized in this latest phase of the operation. One suspect, arrested in connection with the smuggling activities in Adamawa, is currently being held in protective custody in Abuja.
Comptroller Kehinde Ejibune, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, praised the support from the Comptroller-General, expressing confidence that smugglers would soon be driven out of business.
He assured that Customs officers, working alongside other security agencies, are committed to strengthening Nigeria’s economy and alleviating poverty through their round-the-clock efforts.
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