‘We’ll Continue To Identify, Intercept And Dismantle All Smuggling Networks’

…Aliyu Declares, As Customs Operation Whirlwind Showcase Seized Fuel

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has auctioned 20,500 litres of petrol worth N38 million intercepted by its Operation Whirlwind special unit, within the Lagos – Ogun axis.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, who disclosed this while addressing the press on Monday in Lagos explained that the showcase of the impounded product and its means of conveyance followed the directive of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi PhD.

The coordinator said the Nigeria Customs Service remained committed to its constitutional mandate of safeguarding the national economy, protecting critical assets, and dismantling all networks involved in smuggling and economic sabotage across the country.

According to him, surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement have been intensified along major routes notorious for the illegal diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products to neighboring countries.

Speaking further on the special unit recent scorecard, Aliyu explained that operation Whirlwind was established as a strategic national initiative to combat the illegal diversion of petroleum products, protect Nigeria’s energy security, and ensure that products meant for domestic use reach legitimate consumers.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives dismantled a coordinated smuggling syndicate and intercepted 820 jerry-cans of 25 litres each, totaling 20,500 litres of petrol across flashpoints. These include Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and Seme-Badagry,” he said.

He said that in addition to the seized products, five vehicles used for conveying the PMS were also impounded, even as he put the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the petroleum products and the vehicles at N38 million.

The coordinator said that the seized products were earmarked for illegal export in violation of national laws regulating the distribution and movement of petroleum products within Nigeria’s borders. Aliyu lamented that petroleum smuggling posed a grave threat to economic stability and national security because it deprives government of revenue, distorts the supply chains, creates artificial scarcity and fuels criminal enterprises.

“Keeping with legal provisions, the seized products are being disposed through a public auction. This is to ensure they are reintegrated into the legitimate domestic supply chain rather than returned to illegal channels,” he said.

He said that the auction was conducted with the participation of relevant government agencies, security personnel, civil society organisations and the media. According to him, the open auction is to guarantee transparency, accountability and integrity in the disposal process.

The coordinator acknowledged the strategic guidance of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the technical oversight of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for supporting the operation.

He also commended the Comptroller General of Customs and the entire NCS management for providing policy direction, resources and leadership that have strengthened Operation Whirlwind across all operational zones nationwide.

Aliyu urged members of the public, especially residents of border communities, to provide timely information to security agencies, stressing that the fight against smuggling is a shared responsibility for national economic prosperity.

He warned individuals and syndicates involved in petroleum smuggling that Operation Whirlwind remained intelligence-driven and uncompromising, and will continue to identify, intercept, investigate and dismantle all smuggling networks.