The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), operating under the special task force “Operation Whirlwind,” has seized petroleum products valued at N181.6 million along the Nigeria–Cameroon border corridor within an eight-week period.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, ACG Kolapo Oladeji, announced the development on Thursday at a news conference in Yola.
He said the seizures were recorded across various smuggling flashpoints in Adamawa during 55 separate operations.
Oladeji explained that Operation Whirlwind is designed to promote energy security, food security, and broader economic stability in line with the directives of President Bola Tinubu.
“In line with these mandates, Operation Whirlwind Zone D has repositioned all its machinery across its areas of responsibility to ensure that the border becomes airtight,” he said.
He warned smugglers to desist from the illegal trade and called for continued cooperation from stakeholders to advance the state’s socioeconomic development.
“We will ensure that the supply chains of these economic wreckers are truncated in accordance with enabling laws. This fight has no doubt helped in transforming the nation’s economy and strengthening the security of our borders,” he added.
Oladeji also revealed that the seized petroleum products will be auctioned to the public.
Speaking on the legal implications, Mrs. Abidemi Adewumi-Aluko, Assistant Legal Adviser to the Attorney General of the Federation, said the auction symbolizes the reclaiming of national resources and underscores the need to keep petroleum benefits within Nigeria.
She noted that smuggling petroleum products is a serious offence that can attract life imprisonment, as it poses a threat to national security.
She urged those involved in the illegal activity to stop immediately.
