In order to stop cross-border smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), over the weekend, announced the inauguration of a tactical team to combat the illegal trade.
LEADERSHIP reports that in the first quarter of 2024, smuggling of petroleum products accounted for 26 per cent of the 572 seizures recorded by the service.
However, speaking during the inauguration workshop of the tactical team, the comptroller general of the service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the tactical team, Operation Whirlwind, was created solely for combating the smuggling of petroleum products to the neighbouring countries.
According to Adeniyi, the team was also saddled with the responsibility of protecting the nation’s economy from the adverse effects of smuggling petroleum products.
The workshop, held at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), was designed to equip the Operation Whirlwind team with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively curb smuggling, particularly of petroleum products diverted to neighbouring countries.
“Economic saboteurs must be brought to justice. Over the years, we have rebuilt the service to an enviable height, our revenue is increasing, and our targets have also increased. However, if we are not significantly impacting the Nigerian economy, then we must do better,” the CG stated.
The Customs boss, however, informed the team that the workshop was designed to equip the team member with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively curb smuggling, particularly of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.
“This is not a task force or the setting up of checkpoints. This is an intelligence-driven operation that will support the political will at the highest level. Our dedication and loyalty must not be compromised. There will be serious consequences against whoever acts against this mission. There is zero tolerance for sabotage.
Adeniyi stressed the need for collaboration and unity among the officers. “You were selected because you can do the job. Your coordinator’s record is impeccable, and your assignment can’t succeed without you working as a team.
“You are to complement the existing structure. You are not going as competitors; you are going to fight people sabotaging our efforts.”
