Kehinde Fajobi
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has declared an aggressive crackdown on smugglers, labeling them as enemies of Nigeria’s progress.
Speaking on Wednesday in Yola, through Deputy Comptroller-General Olaniyi Olajogun, Adeniyi updated the public on Operation Whirlwind, a campaign aimed at halting fuel smuggling across the country’s borders.
Olajogun revealed that two Adamawa filling stations—Oilpad Global Services Limited and Gawi Oil Nigeria Limited—were fined by a court for their involvement in smuggling activities, and their seized fuel was auctioned at ₦630 per litre.
“Operation Whirlwind, launched with the National Security Adviser’s office, has made significant strides in stopping the illegal export of petroleum products,” Olajogun said.
He highlighted major recent seizures, including over 94,000 litres of fuel valued at ₦75.45 million, and the arrest of one suspect now in custody in Abuja.
National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Kehinde Ejibune, praised the support from the Comptroller-General, expressing confidence that smugglers will soon be driven out of business as Customs, alongside other security agencies, continue efforts to safeguard the economy.