…As Operation Whirlwind Records Tremendous Victories

Author: Iruoghene.

In a bid to conquer the war against the smuggling of petroleum products in Nigeria, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi has reassured his commitment to reinvigorate the existing collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited to effectively combat the smuggling of petroleum products outside Nigeria.

In a meeting with the delegates from NNPC on Friday 5, 2024, at the headquarters of the NCS in Abuja, CGC Adeniyi stated that smuggling constitutes a severe national burden on the Nigerian economy. He said the current habitual that exists in the prices of fuel between Nigeria and the neighbouring countries creates a very huge incentive for smuggling, and that is why NCS, through ‘Operation Whirlwind’ is working with other stakeholders to intensify their efforts in ensuring that smuggling of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) is brought to the barest minimum.

He said, “The operations that we have done have thrown up a number of issues, but despite them, I am happy we have made fantastic seizures from different parts of the country, and we saw the ingenious ways in which smugglers take supplies from depot and place in their stations. The stations might look empty from the front. Still, directly behind, they have linked the hoses through some artificial holes created in their walls into waiting jerrycans and vehicles from where they take them across the borders”.

Still speaking, he said, “It is an act of economic sabotage, and those that we have seen, we have arrested them, confiscated the product that were seen, we sealed up the filling stations, and we have handed them over to the regulatory authorities to handle. Some filing station operators tactically devise means to smuggle fuel in a way that is not noticeable.

Adeniyi disclosed that fighting the heinous crime is a significant operation, creating a considerable burden on NCS resources, but it has been a very rewarding exercise for NCS. He said, “We felt that we could have a very good partnership with NNPC for us to sustain this operation over a period of time”.

Expressing his excitement, the CGC said, “We are happy we had a secondment from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). But customs need a situation room where we get data that speak on the issue of enhancing our capacity. Also, our personnel will be motivated and taken care of, so they won’t be in a situation of compromising”.

Also, the Coordinator of ‘Operation Whirlwind’ Comptroller of Customs, Hussein Ejibunu, stated that the operation started 5 weeks ago and has recorded great victories. He said, “There is no operation that does not have challenges, and we have been able to put them aside with the help of the CGC. We have tackled fuel smuggling not only in Adamawa but across the nation. We recently showcased about 79000 litres of fuel that was about to be smuggled out of Kebbi state. This is an indication that we are desirous to do the job, but we need absolute support of the border communities and other agencies”.

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, stated that the Smuggling of PMS is a major National challenge for the country, and he requested the CGC’s help to minimise the smuggling of PMS outside Nigeria.

He revealed that the volume of fuel smuggled has reduced drastically due to the establishment and efforts of ‘Operation Whirlwind’. He said, “We are available to provide any necessary support to combat this crime in our borders. We are happy to work with you, and we appreciate you for the enormous impact of your collaboration so far”.

…Warns Officers Against Being Defaulters 

Author: Lucy Nyambi.

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has called on officers to honour their oath of service, particularly in fulfilling their national security mandate.

The CGC, who was on an operational visit at Apapa on Thursday, 04 June 2024, addressed officers of Apapa Area Command on the current security threats in the country. He highlighted the critical role of customs officers in safeguarding the nation’s borders.

Recounting the recent seizure of Arms and military accoutrements at the Lagos Airport and a similar seizure in Onne Port, the CGC emphasised the onerous tasks on officers to address the national security emergency in the country.

He said, “Declarations made by these people who go through our desks are inside our system. What it means is that we have an onerous responsibility to address the national security emergency that we face in Nigeria.”

“The trend has shown that there are desperate networks of support, people who conspire with them,

some of them within the service, some of them outside the service. And we have a responsibility not to allow them to bring that devilish merchandise into Nigeria”, the CGC stressed.

Adeniyi highlighted the importance of adhering to proper procedures in ensuring goods are scanned and physically examined to prevent illegal items from entering the country.

The CGC urged officers to maintain the highest level of integrity, as their actions can be traced.

“We work with a system that has track and trace. What each and all of you do with our system can be tracked. It can be traced. We can attribute them to you in the next seven years or beyond. What you do not do can also be attributed to you, so either way, we can be located and called upon to account for our actions and inactions”, he warned.

“I, therefore, urge you to live to your responsibility; this nation is ours, revenue is important, trade facilitation is important, we are getting it right on those ends, and we must not fail on our mandate of national security. So the responsibility lies with all of us to live up to the oath of service, the oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he emphasised.

He warned that anyone traced or caught on the wrong side of the law would not be spared.

By Lucy Nyambi

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi has showcased another seizure of Arms and Military Equipment at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, 3 July 2024.

This is coming barely 48 hrs after the Customs Boss showcased a similar seizure of 844 Riffles and 112,500 Rounds of Ammunition at the Port Harcourt Area II Command in Onne.

During the press briefing in Lagos, the CGC disclosed that the items which emanated from Turkey were intercepted on 19 June 2024, based on credible intelligence from local and international collaborators.

“During the examination, an item was discovered and suspected to be part of a rifle from a console consignment with airway bill number 235-58737755, emanating from Turkey. Consequently, the entire consignment was isolated for thorough examination. At the end of the examination, it was established that 4 packages were used to conceal 55 PIECES OF Unassembled Jojef Magnum (Tomahawk) Semi-Automatic Shotgun. The unassembled rifles were concealed using a Shower Faucet.

“The Duty Paid Value of these illicit arms is N270, 888, 109.29. A suspect is currently in our custody in connection with this illicit arms importation and is assisting with an ongoing investigation to uncover the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” the CGC stated.

Additionally, the CGC also showcased Military and Paramilitary accoutrements improperly imported without end users’ certificates with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,298,019,276.91.

A breakdown of the items include; 148pcs Drones, 172pcs Ballistic Vests, 15pcs Ballistic Plate, 1pc Ballistic Helmet, 8pcs Walkie Talkie, 9,172pcs Military & Paramilitary Badges, 20pcs Camouflage Uniform, 100pcs Camouflage Vest, 172pcs Camouflage Cap, 120pcs Binoculars—all items with a total Duty Paid Value of N1,568,907,386.48.

According to the CGC, analysis of the recent seizures indicates that “Some unscrupulous Nigerians based in Turkey are purchasing, packaging and exporting these illicit arms to Nigeria. Intelligence further revealed that they are exploring new frontiers to perpetrate their nefarious activities.

“Still, I can assure Nigerians that all our Commands are on red alert to intercept any such illicit arms importation.”

Furthermore, the Customs Boss stated that Officers whose diligence, integrity and dedication to duty resulted in remarkable seizure would be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

He commended the Customs Area Controller MMAC, Comptroller Michael Awe and his dedicated officers and men for their unwavering professionalism and commitment while also sending an unequivocal warning to perpetrators considering similar illicit importation, as the Service is relentless in its pursuit of securing the country’s national frontiers and fostering national security.

The items were later handed over to the Zonal Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser, for diligent investigation and prosecution.