ZAINAB JUNAID
Operation Whirlwind, a special task force of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has dealt another significant blow to fuel smugglers in Adamawa State. The latest crackdown is the interception of 916 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, valued at ₦22.9 million.
The National Coordinator of the team, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed this at a briefing in Adamawa on 14 March, 2025, revealing that the operation was executed at key flashpoints in Maiha, Mubi, Gurin, and Belel.
Comptroller Garba Bashir, ACG Ejibunu and other Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service
ACG Ejibunu, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi at the briefing, emphasised that the seizures demonstrated NCS’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s resources and ensuring compliance with trade regulations.
“This shows the agency’s determination to dismantle smuggling networks and bring economic saboteurs to justice,” he added.
He said each intercepted keg, containing 25 litres, brought the total to 22,900 litres of PMS
To him, the latest seizure followed earlier interception made along Taraba axis, “The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, along with his management team, had announced the confiscation of 1,149 jerrycans of PMS in Gembu, Taraba State—totalling 34,470 litres on 13 March 2025,” he said.
ACG Ejibunu stressed that, “The relentless efforts of Operation Whirlwind have once again yielded significant results. This interception is not just a victory for the Customs Service but a testament to the effectiveness of our intelligence-driven approach and the supportive collaboration of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)”.
He further reiterated that the smuggling of PMS remains a major challenge, driven by economic disparities and the lure of quick profits.
However, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in dismantling fuel smuggling networks, making the trade unattractive and bringing economic saboteurs to justice.
Ejibunu commended the Officers involved in the operation, saying, “I want to commend the officers and men of Operation Whirlwind for their bravery, vigilance, and professionalism. Your dedication inspires confidence in our ability to protect Nigeria’s economic sovereignty.”
He also called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest Customs office, stressing the need for a collective effort to tackle smuggling and ensure economic stability.
Comptroller Garba Bashir
Earlier, the Customs Area Controller for Adamawa/Taraba, Comptroller Garba Bashir, commended Operation Whirlwind’s efforts in curtailing smuggling of petroleum products in the area. This he said has added great value to the Command.
Grace Dauda
Also, representative of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Grace Dauda, lauded Nigeria Customs Service for its commitment to eradicating fuel smuggling.
She urged Stakeholders and citizens of the State to oblige by cooperating with the agency at all levels.
She also reaffirmed the commitment of both NMDPRA and the Nigeria Customs Service to enforce government policies such as leveraging technology, intelligence, and inter-agency collaboration to combat smuggling and safeguard the nation’s economic interests.
