…As High-Level Petroleum Stakeholders Gather at ONSA Office, Abuja

By Muhammad Bashir

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has commended the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, for his commitment to tightening surveillance across Nigeria’s borders to curb petroleum product smuggling.

Ribadu made this commendation during a high-level stakeholders meeting held on Monday, 9 September 2024, at the NSA office in Abuja, reminding the participants that “They convened to address the recurring challenge of petroleum smuggling, which threatens Nigeria’s economy and national security.”

In his opening remarks, Ribadu praised the efforts of the Customs Service under Adeniyi’s leadership, highlighting the agency’s role in not only securing Nigeria’s borders but also safeguarding the integrity of the country’s economy.

He described petroleum smuggling as a “cancer that kills,” stating that it drains vital resources needed for national development and undermines government revenue.

Mr. Ribadu, however, stressed that the nation’s security apparatus must agree to work together to tackle the smuggling menace, which, according to him, will continue to destabilise the oil sector and foster illegal activities across the country’s borders if not properly addressed.

The NSA appreciated the strong presence of key stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) among others.

In his remarks, Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi emphasised the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to fulfilling its legal mandate, especially in light of the NCS Act 2023, which according to him, empowers the agency to enforce strict measures against smuggling activities across the country.

CGC Adeniyi, who acknowledged the complexity of petroleum products smuggling, reiterated the Customs Service’s resolve to address the challenge, pointing to recent operations, led by Comptroller Ejibunu, which were aimed at dismantling smuggling syndicates.

“What we are doing here today is a clear demonstration of the good intentions of the Office of the National Security Adviser, which has provided us with a platform to mount and execute special operations against smuggling,” Adeniyi said.

He added, “The repositioning of Nigeria’s economy and the oil sector is a crucial objective, and as an organisation, the Nigeria Customs Service is ready to play its role in achieving this.”

The Customs Boss explained that the Service is leveraging innovative technologies to enhance border security, stating that “One key initiative is the integration of real-time monitoring systems, similar to those used by Dubai Customs, which have successfully employed blockchain technology to track and authenticate oil and gas movements.”

He also urged stakeholders to focus on transparency and accountability throughout the petroleum supply chain. He acknowledged that smuggling is driven by factors beyond the Customs Service’s control, but pledged that the NCS would not relent in its efforts to clamp down on the illegal trade.

“We remain committed to ensuring that legitimate businesses thrive, while at the same time, we will not hesitate to suppress any form of illegitimate activities in the petroleum sector,” Adeniyi said.

On his part, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, emphasised the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration, noting that anti-smuggling efforts require the combined strength of various government agencies, including the NCS, NMDPRA, NNPC Ltd., and security services.

Comptroller Ejibunu, who acknowledged the financial burden associated with conducting the operations, also called for an increase in funding and allocation of vehicles to the operatives of Operation Whirlwind.

The stakeholders, on their part, all agreed to show commitment to eliminating petroleum smuggling and securing Nigeria’s borders, stating, “We all dissociated ourselves from anything smuggling, and we’re in support of this operation, Operation Whirlwind.”

The National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, while announcing the closure of the meeting, said a joint communique has been signed, as he further read some new resolutions that will set the ball rolling in terms of fighting against smuggling.

According to him, “Following extensive deliberations, a joint communique was signed by NSA Ribadu, Comptroller-General Adeniyi, and other key representatives, including officials from NNPC Limited, NMDPRA, and IPMAN. The communique outlined a series of resolutions aimed at curbing petroleum smuggling and protecting Nigeria’s economy.”

Author: Muhammad Bashir.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Saturday, 7 September 2024, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sports federations and promoting its athletes, who display bravery in representing the Service in national and international competitions.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this statement shortly after the Customs volleyball team delivered a resounding victory over the Adamawa State team in the first phase of the 2024 National Volleyball Premier League, held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

In a match where the NCS dominated from start to finish, the Customs team triumphed with a scoreline of 22-11, winning all three sets. CGC Adeniyi expressed his excitement over the victory, stating: “I was optimistic that we would win, and we did, taking all three sets. However, this championship is divided into three phases, and in this phase, we have won one match so far, with nearly seven matches ahead.”

CGC Adeniyi attributed the team’s success to disciplined teamwork and resilience, adding: “We need discipline, teamwork, strength, stability, and intelligence — qualities we need not just on the court but also in our everyday duties as Customs officers.”

He continued, “We succeed in reviving these virtues while playing various games, and today’s success is what we hoped for — that our players would give their best in matches like this.”

When asked whether the NCS’s participation in various games aligns with the Federal Government’s policy of engaging talented youth in sports, CGC Adeniyi remarked, “It is deliberate because there are a lot of youths we can reach out to, and Customs has a very rich history of excellent performance in sports.”

According to the CGC, the Service has produced both national and international champions in boxing, athletics, and other sports. He added: “Just like today, our volleyball team performed exceptionally well. They have participated in the African Cup of Nations tournaments several times and have also played in the national football league, gaining a rich history in the process.”

Emphasizing the Service’s commitment to supporting its athletes, CGC Adeniyi said: “This is why we find it necessary not only to encourage our athletes within Customs but also to extend our support and sponsorship to federations that seek our assistance, as long as it is within our capacity.”

The Customs boss, recalling his own experience playing volleyball in his youth, described the match between the NCS and the Adamawa team as an opportunity for Customs to select the best athletes to represent the Service in both national and international competitions.

He also saluted the courage of the Adamawa volleyball players, who, according to him, displayed commitment and professionalism in their debut, stating: “All respect to the Adamawa team. They played very well, but for our own team, we look forward to the upcoming matches.”

Author: Muhammad Bashir.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, says Security Agencies in Nigeria have, in August 2024, made significant strides in safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians.

During a joint press briefing held at the Nigeria Customs Headquarters in Abuja, CSC Maiwada presented an overview of the efforts made by various agencies, including counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling operations, law enforcement, and financial crime prevention.

He noted that the Defence Headquarters had neutralised no fewer than 1,166 suspected terrorists, arrested 1,096 suspected criminals, and rescued 721 hostages during the month under review. In addition, over 391 weapons were recovered, and several terrorist leaders were eliminated.

“The strategy of dismantling these terror groups by targeting their leadership, commanders, and collaborators is significantly diminishing their capacity to carry out major offensives. Additionally, the military recovered 391 weapons, over 15,000 rounds of ammunition, and disrupted oil theft activities worth over N5 billion.” He highlighted further.

In the area of maritime security, the Nigerian Navy dismantled 15 illegal refinery sites, while law enforcement agencies arrested 873 suspects linked to various criminal activities. He stated.

CSC Maiwada stated “Notably, a massive refinery site with a capacity of 2 million litres per day was dismantled along the Ogoloma-Bakana waterways in Rivers State. These efforts have contributed to Nigeria’s crude oil production reaching 1.658 million barrels per day, reinforcing the Navy’s role in safeguarding the nation’s economic interests.”

He also used the medium to commend the Nigeria Police Force for successfully foiling plots aimed at destabilising the government and apprehending multiple armed robbers, adding that “The Nigeria Police Force had, during the nationwide ‘End Bad Governance in Nigeria’ protest, arrested a total of 873 individuals across several states in connection with various criminal activities such as armed robbery, arson, and vandalism.”

Highlighting the achievements of the Nigerian Customs Service, CSC Maiwada disclosed that the agency generated revenue of ₦475.6 billion and seized contraband worth ₦975 million, adding that “the Nigerian Correctional Service made progress in reducing prison overcrowding by releasing 257 inmates.”

According to him, other agencies, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), also recorded significant advances in anti-corruption, drug enforcement, and human trafficking cases, with numerous arrests and recoveries.