Customs Operation Whirlwind sustains crackdown on illicit fuel movement, auctions 9,125 litres in Kebbi

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through Operation Whirlwind Zone B, has intensified its crackdown on the illicit movement of petroleum products, with the public auction of 9,125 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized along the Kebbi-Sokoto axis.

The auction, conducted on Tuesday at the Kebbi Area Command of the NCS, involved 365 jerrycans of PMS with an estimated Duty Paid Value of ₦9.125 million.

The products were intercepted by operatives of Operation Whirlwind at strategic locations, including Kamba, Bagudo, Gwadabawa and Illela, following intelligence-led enforcement operations.

Representing the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, the Team Commander, Zone B, said the seizures demonstrated the determination of the operation to prevent the diversion, smuggling and illegal movement of petroleum products across the country.

He said Operation Whirlwind would continue to deploy intelligence, surveillance and coordinated enforcement to protect Nigeria’s strategic petroleum resources from activities capable of undermining the national economy.

“Operation Whirlwind remains resolute and intelligence-driven. We will continue to identify, intercept and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate,” he said.

The commander described the auction as part of the Service’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of seized petroleum products, urging participants to strictly observe the guidelines governing the exercise.

He commended the strategic support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the technical collaboration of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in tackling petroleum-related smuggling.

He also acknowledged the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the Service, while commending officers and personnel of Operation Whirlwind for their vigilance, discipline and professionalism.

The commander appealed to residents of border communities to support the anti-smuggling campaign by providing security agencies with timely and credible information on illicit activities.

He stressed that the fight against fuel smuggling required sustained cooperation among government agencies, security institutions, border communities and other stakeholders.

According to him, Operation Whirlwind will continue to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement across its operational fronts to disrupt smuggling networks and safeguard the nation’s petroleum resources.

The auction also underscored the Service’s broader enforcement strategy of ensuring that seized petroleum products are subjected to transparent disposal procedures while sustaining pressure on individuals and networks involved in their illegal movement.

The commander assured Nigerians that Operation Whirlwind would remain focused on protecting national economic interests and ensuring that petroleum resources are utilised in the overall interest of the country.