Customs Operation Whirlwind Records Seizures Worth N380m In 3 Months

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Seized drums of fuel

The National Coordinator, Nigeria Customs Service Task Force On Petroleum Products, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu has revealed that the task force codenamed Operation Whirlwind impounded over 466,000 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS), known in local parlance as petrol, estimated at N380 million since inception of activities in May, 2024.

This is even as the hard boiled economic crime fighter has raised the alarm over threats to the lives of officers and men of the task force by smugglers, noting however that neither the task force nor the NCS will be intimidated any way to abandoning its tasks and mandate.

Ejibunu middle with his principal operatives in Zone A in a group photo

Ejibunu who was speaking in Lagos weekend when he showcased fresh seizures of petroleum products in the South West zone of the NCS, note that while not taking the threats lightly, the NCS and relevant agencies of government within the national security system are at full alert and on top of intelligence.

According to the task force coordinator, the seizure totaling 138 drums at 230 liters each is equivalent of 31,740 liters, valued at N25 million. He explained that the products were intercepted within Imeko/Afon axis in Ogun state in the wee hours of last Wednesday by the Zone A Team, headed by Assistant Comptroller AZ Abubakar.

The two suspects

The anti-smuggling czar noted that in line with the zero tolerance of illegal exportation of petroleum products to neighboring countries by the present management of the NCS, officers of the task force are determined and highly motivated by management to stay the cause of the war against fuel smuggling, noting that the statistics and profiles of seizures across the nation give credence to the focus of the task force.

Speaking on the latest seizure, the coordinator disclosed that two suspects were arrested and explained that investigation is ongoing. Similarly, the chief fuel crime fighter informed that two weeks earlier, the task force showcased seizure of 18,135 liters of PMS valued at N13.2 million, with another 26,625 liters of same product valued at N20 million in Calabar located within Zone C of the NCS, Monday last week.

He explained that the ongoing offensive is part of President Tinubu’s led administration to curb the menace of illegal petroleum exportation as directed by the Comptroller General of the Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, in conjunction with the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), which culminated in the setting up of Operation Whirlwind Task force.

He however raised the alarm that some members of the Task Force are facing threats of assignation, which has become current issue of concerns, but noted that measures have been put in place to vigorously challenge such threats, adding intelligence is also at full alert as such threats bothers on national security.

“Two officers have been marked for assassination as a result of the efforts they have put in to tame this economic sabotage. Due to the Task Force’s intervention, petroleum products allocated to states now get to their destination which has stabilized the price of the products in parts of the country.

“We cannot be intimidated as we will continue to work harder more than ever before to achieve our mandate”, Ejibunu spoke to the issue of threats to his men, noting that the NCS will not negotiate with criminal elements in the effort to drive the FGN’s policy on zero tolerance for cross border fuel smuggling in the effort to improve the economy of the country.

“It is no longer news to Nigerians of the humongous revenue that is daily lost to oil theft. This accounts for the reduction of the nation’s daily oil production from 2.1 million to 1.1 million barrels’. He recalled that 41,425 liters with Duty paid value of N48 million was also seized recently in Adamawa.

“Perpetrators of fuel smuggling should know by now that the music has changed which means the dancing steps must equally change.”

He appealed to those involved in the act to desist and embrace legitimate trade or risk unceasing pursuit, arrest and prosecution.

He revealed that the Task Force has enumerated the number of active petrol stations in the country, especially around the border areas to ensure close monitoring of products distribution.