OPERATION WHIRLWIND, SEME COMMAND COLLABORATE TO FIGHT PETROLEUM SMUGGLING ACROSS THE BORDER
National Co-ordinator of the Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Lucky Aliyu has continued to tour several customs units and commands nationwide to seek strategic collaboration with Area Controllers on the new modus operandi to tame petroleum smugglers.
Since his appointment as National Coordinator, Aliyu has visited the Idiroko border, Oyo/Osun command, the Kebbi and Kano commands as well as that of Adamawa/Taraba customs. Just on last week, he was also hosted by the new Area Controller of Seme/Badagry command, Comptroller Kaila.
Both men spoke of synergy amongst all customs personnel at the frontlines to be able to curtail the present economic sabotage which smugglers of petroleum products have inflicted on the country.
Aliyu has mentioned how smuggling of such products would harm the nation’s economy, fuel insecurity while causing artificial scarcity of the product in the country. He vowed that his Team was prepared more than ever before to break the network of illegal petroleum marketing.
The Co-ordinator said his meeting with the Seme/Badagry command Area Controller was very fruitful, with positive assurances on the way forward. According to him, Compt Kaila has given his words for them to police the international border adequately while encouraging genuine trade facilitation.
In his recent visit to katsina, the National Co-ordinator has said that his engagement is both strategic and timely in addressing the persistent challenge of petroleum products smuggling and other downstream infractions that threaten our national energy security and public safety.
He noted that Operation Whirlwind was established to combat the illegal diversion and smuggling of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders. He believes that effective enforcement cannot succeed in isolation.