Customs Seizes N181.6m Petroleum Products In 8 Weeks

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has confiscated petroleum products valued at N181.6 million under “Operation Whirlwind” during an eight-week crackdown on smuggling along the Nigeria–Cameroon borders.

The National Coordinator of the operation, ACG Kolapo Oladeji, announced this on Thursday at a press briefing in Yola, Adamawa State capital.
Oladeji said the seizures were recorded across several smuggling flashpoints in Adamawa State through 55 coordinated operations.

He further explained that Operation Whirlwind was launched to safeguard national energy and food security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s economic directives.

“Operation Whirlwind Zone D has repositioned all its machinery to ensure the borders remain airtight,” he said, warning smugglers to desist from economic sabotage.

He urged stakeholders to continue supporting the operation, stressing that the team would not relent in dismantling smuggling networks.

“We will ensure that the supply chains of these economic wreckers are truncated in accordance with the law,” he added. “This sustained fight is helping to strengthen border security and protect the nation’s economy.”

Oladeji also disclosed that the seized petroleum products would be auctioned to the public.

Speaking during the briefing, Assistant Legal Adviser at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mrs. Abidemi Adewumi-Aluko, said the auction represented an effort to reclaim national resources and ensure petroleum benefits Nigerians.

She warned that smuggling petroleum products attacts severe penalties.

“Such offences attract life imprisonment because they threaten national security,” she said, urging perpetrators to desist from the illegal trade.