Customs Boss Says Ejibunu Remains Coordinator, Operation Whirlwind

Says Conniving Border Communities Will Be Treated As Economic Sabotuers

…Impounds 245,370 liters PMS, Identifies Flashpoints

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Adeniyi addressing the press on the seizures made by Operation Whirlwind at Customs College, Ikeja on Monday

Amid observed recalcitrance by undesirable elements whose activities have continued to pose threats to the nation’s energy security and economic sovereignty, the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) disclosed yesterday that ACG Hussein Kayode Ejibunu has been retained as the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind; the elite anti-fuel smuggling task force, set up about a year ago.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi had early last  year set up ‘Operation Whirlwind’ in consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), AIG Nuhu Ribadu (Rtd), to respond adequately and professionally to the menace, with Comptroller Husein Kayode Ejibunu as the pioneer head of the upward performing outfit.

Speaking yesterday, Monday March 3, 2025  at the premises of the Customs Training School Ikeja, Lagos, Adeniyi disclosed that the petroleum task force recorded the seizure of over 245,370 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at over NGN238 million from inception to date.

The Customs Service helmsman explained the imperative of having a competent, fosed, committed and level headed officer, who understands the dynamics of the combat  against the prevailing fuel theft to lead and direct its operations, regardless of the rank of the officer concerned; noting that if it became necessary; even as the CGC, he would lead the anti-economic sabotage war.

Hitherto, the administrative norm confine operational assignments to the rank of a comptroller, downwards; which probably informed public expectation that having recently been elevated and appointed Assistant Comptroller General, Ejibunu could no longer serve as the National Coordinator  of Operation Whirlwind; being a surbodinate role under NCS administartive structure.

“Ejibunu remains the National Coordinator, having done exceptionally well. It is a very expensive operation to conduct, it requires operational and professional knowhow, competence, focus and commitment. We will decide who will head this team. As long as I know Ejibunu remains the National Coordinator”, Adeniyi said.

On the culpability of host communities and the federal government response to such, the CGC reiterated the resolve of the NCS to constant engagement towards achieving a single national purpose geared towards discouraging fuel smuggling; affirming that the full weight of the law would apply irrespective of whoever is involved; and warned that community people found to be colluding with fuel thieves would face the music.

“We are still engaging them, in the last report presented, we discovered that the host communities offer storage facilities for stolen fuel before they are move them out. So we have continued to engage host communities to ensure they not cooperate with fuel smugglers. We will arrest and prosecute anyone connected with these criminal acts.

“In Adamawa State we are currently prosecuting two people arrested in connection with fuel smuggling, we will not hesitate to do that if we see members of communities identifying with PMS smugglers”, he said.

National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, ACG Ejibunu, making a remark during the press briefing by the CGC

Addressing newsmen on the activities of the task force within the past two weeks, he identified flash points the service has taken steps to redouble its surveillance and interception, in response to other fiscal measures that has been worked out by government to ensure the stability of domestic fuel distribution.

“The Nigeria Customs Service continues to confront a fluid national challenge that threatens our economic sovereignty and energy security: the persistent smuggling of petroleum products across our borders. While the government has implemented comprehensive market reforms and supply chain enhancements to stabilize the domestic petroleum sector, criminal networks remain determined to exploit regional economic disparities for illicit profit.

“These unscrupulous elements have shown remarkable adaptability, constantly refining their methods to circumvent our enforcement measures. What we are witnessing is not just routine customs violations but a systematic attempt to undermine Nigeria’s economic foundations through the diversion of strategic national resources. Each liter of petroleum product smuggled across our borders is a loss of revenue as much as it contributes to domestic scarcity, market instability, and compromised energy security for our citizens.

“Our economic intelligence reveals that substantial price disparities across regional borders remain the fundamental catalyst for this illicit trade, fostering a profoundly lucrative black market that systematically undermines Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and national interests.”

In a broad recap of the formation of the task force, Adeniyi provided details of the strategic partnership, noting its successes in spite of all the odds.

“As you may recall, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), established a special operation codenamed “Whirlwind” in collaboration with the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

This strategic partnership has significantly intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across critical border corridors nationwide. In less than three months, Operation Whirlwind has yielded remarkable results with cumulative seizures of 245,370 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at NGN 238,140,000—and importantly, these figures exclude today’s report and seizures made through regular command structures and Federal Operations Units. I have previously presented these operational successes in Adamawa State on January 30, 2025, where our officers intercepted 199,495 liters valued at NGN199,495,000, and in Kwara State on February 17,2025, with additional seizures of 45,875 liters worth NGN 38,645,000.

Operation Whirlwind he said has performed impressively since inception as he provided a highlight of its activities within the south west zone in the past few weeks.

“The steady momentum of Operation Whirlwind is further demonstrated by the commendable performance recorded in Zone “A”, covering the Lagos/Ogun axis. Today, I am pleased to present our latest operational achievements in this critical zone, which serves as both our nation’s commercial nerve center and a high-risk corridor for cross-border smuggling activities due to its strategic location along our western frontier with the Republic of Benin.

“Following intelligence-driven operations between January11 and February 23, 2025, our vigilant officers under the Operation Whirlwind, have successfully intercepted and seized a total of 28,300 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being diverted through various concealment methods and smuggling techniques. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures amounts to Thirty Five Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira Only (₦35,800,000).”

The CGC disclosed that these tactical operations yielded one thousand and fFifty-seven (1,132) Jerry Cans of 25 liters each, totaling 28,300 liters; three (3) vehicles used (means of conveyance)  including  One Toyota Camry with Chassis No. JTDAT 1237101922 C7; One Volkswagen with Registration No. LAGOS-AAA-928FY with Chassis No. WVW222312LE114785; and One Toyota Camry with Chassis No. 4T1BG22KXXU582542.

He applauded the focus and commitment of officers and men that has made the operation of the task force worth the while.

““I must commend the dedication and courage of the Operation Whirlwind team in Zone A, and indeed all officers deployed to Operation Whirlwind across the nation. Their vigilance, integrity, and commitment to duty is commendable in the face of significant operational challenges and risks.”