The Nigeria Customs Service’s Operation Whirlwind in Kwara/ Niger states axis has, within a month, seized 67,000 litres of petroleum worth N84.8m.
LEADERSHIP reports that Operation Whirlwind, which commenced in May 2024, involves the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The national coordinator of the exercise, Comptroller Hussaini Ejibunu, in a statement signed by the spokesman of Kwara Area Command of NCS, Zakari Chado, said the seized petroleum had been auctioned to members of the public.
“A few months into the ongoing operations Whirlwind, appreciable results have been recorded, particularly in the areas of illegal smuggling of petroleum motor spirit (PMS).
“The operation, through the leadership of Compt. Hussaini Ejibunu took a definitive step to put Nigeria on the path to suppress the smuggling of PMS out of the country through the exercise. The operation WHIRLWIND exercise has no doubt saved the country huge resources and enhanced national security as the smuggling of PMS out of the country through Kwara land borders has been considerably curtailed,” Chado said.
He added, “Our operatives consisting of enforcement officers and Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) covering Niger/Kwara axis have continued to record a large number of seizures and arrests. On 17th and 18th September.”
