OPERATION WHIRLWIND COMBS NORTH EAST; AS ACG EJIBUNU ANNOUNCES N96 MILLION PETROLEUM SEIZURE IN 6 WEEKS
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
About 70,000 litres of petroleum products valued at N96 million have been intercepted by the Operation Whirlwind of the Customs service, zone D in Yola in the last six weeks.
National Co-ordinator of the Team, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) HK Ejibunu who represented the Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, disclosed to newsmen today that the products carefully concealed and being prepared for illegal distribution to neighboring countries were intercepted following ‘credible intelligence report’
A disturbing development was the unwarranted attacks on customs personnel by hoodlums resulting in casualties and damage of our operational vehicles’
‘This briefing is intended to inform the public of recent developments in our ongoing operations against smuggling and economic sabotage within the Adamawa axis.
Operation Whirlwind, as an enforcement unit remains committed to suppressing illegal trade activities and protecting our national economy, and we are unwavering in this determination’ Ejibunu deposed.
He said, within the last Six (6) weeks, our Operatives achieved a significant breakthrough following credible intelligence reports. A total of 2,276 Jerricans (25 liters each) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 19
Jerricans (25 liters each) of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) yielding a volume of 69,375 liters was intercepted at various notorious smuggling flashpoints, Malabu-Belel Axis, Girei-Wuro Bokki Axis, Gurin-Fufore Axis, Jamtari Axis, Maiha Axis, Jimeta Waterside and Mubi-Sahuda
These petroleum products, carefully concealed and being prepared for illegal export or distribution to neighboring country were intercepted along with Two (2) vehicles being used as means of conveyance. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the intercepted petroleum products and the conveying vehicles is to the tune of N95,695,000. (Ninety-Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand Naira Only).
According to him, such volumes of PMS and AGO diverted through unauthorized channels pose not just economic risks but also grave safety concerns, especially in border communities. Operation Whirlwind remains alert and steadfast in curbing such illicit activities that threaten national security. economy, and preserving public safety. Axis.
“It is pertinent to note that the smuggling of PMS not only results in revenue so the country but also places additional pressure on our already strained fuel supply chain, At a time when the nation is grappling with energy distribution challenges, we cannot afford to allow saboteurs to compromise our national interest for personal gain”.
Regrettably, he reported a disturbing incident that occurred on Wednesday, 16th July 2025 during one of their intelligence-driven enforcement missions. While on official duty in Adamawa, their Officers were ambushed by violent mobs and smugglers who barricaded access roads using sticks, stones, and other harmful objects. What began as resistance to lawful enforcement escalated into a brutal and premeditated attack. Officers were physically assaulted with sticks, stones, and daggers. In a terrifying turn of events, the assailants doused an operational vehicle with fuel, threatening to set both vehicle and officers ablaze.
The NCS ACT 2023 Section 240 subsection 3(a) States that “where any person obstructs, hinders, molests or assaults an Officer in the performance of any duty or the exercise of any power imposed or conferred on him or any person acting in his aid, in carrying out the provisions of this act or any other Customs and excise laws commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000,000 imprisonment for a term of Five (5) years or both. Despite the officers’ attempts to retreat and de-escalate, the chaos led to:
-Serious injuries sustained by Operative CAII Isah Mohammed
-Vandalization of an official operational vehicle
Casualty involving one of the attackers, who later succumbed to injuries, sustained from a ricocheted bullet during crowd dispersal efforts.
He said, this violent aggression against law enforcement personnel is a clear attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigeria Customs Service and destabilize ongoing efforts to protect our borders.
He stressed that they stand in absolute condemnation of the unprovoked and deeply troubling attack on the Officers while they were carrying out their lawful duties. Such a violent act is not only an affront to our shared humanity, but a betrayal of community values and national integrity.
“These Officers are not faceless uniforms: they are human beings like each of us. They have spouses, children, parents, and loved ones who depend on them. Many serve as the backbone of their families, sacrificing their personal comfort and safety to uphold peace and order within the very communities they come from”.
He deposed that to launch an assault on these individuals is to inflict pain not only on them, but on their households and the nation at large. It is a violation of the trust they place in those who serve the public good, and it must be addressed with seriousness and justice. Let us re-affirm that no grievance, disagreement, or frustration justifies violence. ‘Our security personnel deserve our respect, our protection, and our solidarity’, he said
The Service condemns this act in the strongest possible terms and reiterates its zero-tolerance stance toward violence and obstruction of official duty. Investigations are underway in collaboration with relevant
security agencies to identify and bring all perpetrators to justice. They called on community leaders, traditional rulers, and the public to support law enforcement activities by providing timely intelligence and standing against these wicked acts and criminalities.
In conclusion, he extends heartfelt gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, FNIPR, DSM, PSC(+) and his entire management team, the ONSA under the leadership of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (mni) for his strong support and commitment in addressing security challenges in Nigeria, dedicated personnel of Operation Whirlwind, the NMDPRA an patriotic Nigerians who continue to stand with us in the pursuit of resolute mission to dismantle smuggling networks and bring economic saboteurs to justice.
“Let this serve as a warning to all those who seek to destabilize our operations that we will not relent, we will not retreat, and we will not compromise. Together, we can build a safer and more economically stable Nigeria”.