CUSTOMS CG REORGANIZES OPERATION WHIRLWIND; INJECTS 100 NEW OFFICERS INTO THE TEAM, AS EJIBUNU REMAINS NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR
In keeping with his promise early this year not to disband the Operation Whirlwind- charged with nipping smuggling of petroleum products in the bud, the Comptroller General of the Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has reorganized the Team with the injection of new blood into its operation.
Consequently, no less than 100 new officers have been assigned to the special Anti-smuggling team to beef up its operations, while at least 74 old ones were withdrawn.
This is a testament of the good work that the ACG Ejibunu ad hoc Task force has done in the eight months of its inauguration.
In a circular No. HQ/07/2025 dated May 15 2025, entitled ‘Reshuffling of Operatives assigned to Operation Whirlwind’ and signed by the ACG ( HQ) IG Umar, it said inter Alia.
‘In alignment with the ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness, the CGC has graciously approved the strategic reassignment of personnel within the Operation Whirlwind.
The reshuffling aims to introduce new operatives into the Operation while retaining a select group of experienced personnel well-versed in the established procedures and protocols.
Pursuant to this, the new officers have been directed to report to Operation Whirlwind Headquarters on or before May 22, 2025 for briefings and documentation.
Since the inception of Operation Whirlwind, it has made seizure of petroleum products worth more than N1 billion, including means of conveyance.
The seized product was either being diverted or on the verge of being smuggled across the nation’s borders. Due to its positive intervention, the Comptroller General stated at his recent briefing at the Training College Ikeja that ACG Ejibunu will continue to be the National Co-ordinator of the Team and even vowed that he won’t mind heading the Team himself, if need be, inorder to stem the tide of this economic sabotage.