EJIBUNU’S OPERATION WHIRLWIND GIVES SMUGGLERS ACROSS NIGERIA/ CAMEROON BORDER BLOODY NOSE; MAKES N63.2 MILLION PMS SEIZURE
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
The Operation Whirlwind is not resting on its oars in it avowed determination to reduce the smuggling of petroleum products across the country’s borders to its barest minimum. No doubt in the last seven months, the Whirlwind Team under the leadership of Assistant Comptroller General HK Ejibunu has inflicted serious losses on the smugglers with huge seizures time and again.
Just today, the Team has been showcasing no fewer than 48,000 liters of seized premium motor spirit in Yola, Adamawa state. The seizures valued at more than N63 .4 million were made on different unapproved routes across Dasin-Fufore axis, Belel-Farang axis, Mubi-Sahuda, Maiha, as well as Girei-Wuro Bokki axis of Adamawa state.
No suspect was apprehended as they were said to have abandoned the items in an attempt to circumvent arrest.he seized items include 1,959×25 liter Jerry cans filled with PMS equivalent to 48,975 liters intended to be smuggled into the Republic of Cameroon. Five vehicles which served as means of conveyance of some of the products were also seized.
It is evident that the anti-smuggling crusade of the Operation Whirlwind had allowed Adamawa State and Nigeria at large to witness a stable and sufficient supply of PMS, reduce scarcity and
price instability. The team had deployed all its operational tools supply chains of illicit
across the country’s frontiers to disrupt the
fuel and clamp down on illegal oil marketers.
He advise all illegal oil marketers and those who are intending to go into any illegitimate importation and exportation to forsake the illegal trade and embrace
other genuine business as Nigeria Customs Service, the anti-smuggling crusader, will not relent in its fight against the menace.
Ejibunu informed the Press that the seized PMS showcased here today, will be a uctioned to the general public immediately after this briefing as a result of its inflammable nature as provided in the Nigeria CustomsS ervice Act, 2023 and the Standard Operating Procedures while the proceed will be remitted into the federation account.
To the border communities, they appreciates and seek their continued
collaboration with the service in the area of timely provision of intelligence to curb smuggling activities. However, we appeal to the border Community leaders and youth leaders to continue to educate
their wards on the negative effects of smuggling activities on the nation’s economy and security.
He also informed them that this fight is against illicit oil marketers and economic saboteurs as Nigeria Customs Service is fully committed to facilitate legitimate trade as contained in NCS Act 2023. We will guarantee legitimate oil marketers unimpeded operations, free from harassment and product confiscation.
. He reiterated that, this operation is geared towards energy and food security to foster economic growth in line with the core mandates of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. To key in to these mandates, the Operation Whirlwind had repositioned all its machineries across the area of its responsibilities and ensuring that the border become watertight. This had made it difficult for economic saboteurs to carry out their smuggling activities.
According to him, It is important to note that, their goal of suppressing smuggling activities in this Zone had yielded a huge success within the reporting period of
five (5) weeks. These unwavering efforts translated to series of seizures
with aggregate duty paid value of sixty-three million, forty-six thousand, seven hundred and fifty naira (N63,046,750).
The seized items we are going to showcased today were made on different dates and locations in an unapproved routes across- Dasin-Fufore axis, Belel-Farang axis, Mubi-Sahuda axis, Maiha axis, Girei-Wuro Bokki axis and other places
within the state. However, during the Operations, no suspect was
apprehended, as they abandoned the items and absconded in an attempt to circumvent arrest. The seized items include:
i. 1,959x25L Jerry Cans filled with PMS, equivalent to 48,975L intended to be smuggled into the adjacent country, the Republic of Cameroon.
ii. Five (5) vehicles, the means of conveyance of some of these seized PMS.
Finally, the invaluable support of the Comptroller General of Nigeria customs service and the entire management in fostering an enabling operational
Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, dsm, fnipr PSC (+) and environment for the team is deeply appreciated. The milestone reached are a testament to intelligent sharing and steadfast backing provided by Adamawa/Taraba Area Command I and other units of the service such as FOU D’, CIU. SIS and other security agencies.
Ejibunu commends the effort of the Press for their exceptional reporting. They earnestly request your continued vigilance and support in our fight against activities. The fight against smuggling needsc ollaborative efforts. It is not a one-man business.
He also acknowledge collaborative effort of the office of the National Security Adviser, Nigeria Midstream, Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in the sustenance of this Operation is commendable.
He appreciates the presence and attentiveness. ‘May you have a safe
and pleasant returns to your destinations’.