In just eight weeks, the Nigeria Customs Service’s special task team, Operation Whirlwind, has stopped the smuggling of petroleum products worth ₦181.6 million between Nigeria and Cameroon.
ACG Kolapo Oladeji, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, reportedly revealed the discovery at a press conference on Thursday in Yola.
“This operation is focused on energy and food security to promote economic growth in accordance with the fundamental directives of Federal Republic of Nigeria President Bola Tinubu,” Oladeji said.
Oladeji clarified that 55 operations aimed at smuggling hotspots throughout Adamawa State resulted in the seizures.
“To ensure that the border becomes airtight, Operation Whirlwind Zone D has repositioned all of its machinery across its areas of responsibility,” he stated.
He urged stakeholders to work together to further the socioeconomic development of the area and cautioned smugglers to stop their illegal actions.
He pledged, “We will make sure that these economic wreckers’ supply chains are cut off in compliance with enabling laws.”
He also stated that the government would receive the proceeds from the auction of the confiscated petroleum products.
Speaking at the function, Mrs. Abidemi Adewumi-Aluko, Assistant Legal Advisor at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, characterized the proposed auction as a lawful action to recover national resources and stop economic sabotage.
“Because they jeopardize national security, such offenses carry a life sentence,” she said.
She also warned of severe legal repercussions and urged fuel traffickers to cease their operations.
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