WAR ON PETROLEUM SMUGGLING: D/COMPT ALIYU ANNOUNCES A N3.6 BILLION WORTH OF SEIZURES SINCE INCEPTION OF OPERATION WHIRLWIND
No less than N3.6 billion worth of petroleum products billed to be smuggled across the nation’s border corridors have been intercepted by the Operation whirlwind of the Nigeria customs service since its establishment two years ago.
The National Co-ordinator of the Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Lucky Aliyu disclosed this in Uyo at a two-day stakeholders workshop on joint collaboration held at the Four Points Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state.
The theme of workshop was ‘strengthening inter-agency coordination and Operational Effectiveness in Combatting the Cross-Border Diversion and Smuggling of Petroleum products’
The workshop was attended by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Navy (NN), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Presenting the Nigeria Customs Service position, the National Coordinator, Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller A. L. Aliyu, highlighted the history, operational structure, achievements and challenges of OPSWW, as well as strategies for addressing emerging threats.
He disclosed that since its establishment in May 2024, Operation Whirlwind has intercepted over four million litres of petroleum products, recorded 675 seizure reports, intercepted 75 trucks, and seized 155,000 25-litre jerrycans and 1,254 drums, with a total estimated Duty Paid Value of ₦3.6 billion.
The presentation also highlighted the roles of intelligence, legal and geospatial units in strengthening enforcement and accountability.
The Nigerian Navy and NMDPRA participated as key stakeholders, reinforcing the workshop’s emphasis on joint intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and effective regulatory response.
The Customs presentation identified sophisticated smuggling networks, porous borders, difficult terrain, limited surveillance assets and attacks on operatives among the challenges confronting enforcement.
It recommended enhanced personnel training, intelligence-led operations, deployment of drones and other modern technologies, improved logistics, stronger prosecution, public awareness and sustained inter-agency collaboration.