By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their partnership in the fight against fuel smuggling.
According to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the collaboration aims to tackle the smuggling of petroleum products outside Nigeria, which constitutes a significant burden on the national economy.
Adeniyi noted that the price difference between Nigeria and neighboring countries creates a huge incentive for smuggling, but the NCS, through ‘Operation Whirlwind,’ is working to minimize the smuggling of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS).
He highlighted the successes of the operation, including fantastic seizures and the arrest of perpetrators.
The Coordinator of ‘Operation Whirlwind,’ Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, reported that the operation has recorded significant victories across the nation, including the interception of 79,000 liters of fuel in Kebbi State.
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, acknowledged the smuggling of PMS as a major national challenge and sought the Customs’ assistance in minimising the smuggling of PMS outside Nigeria.
He commended the efforts of ‘Operation Whirlwind’ and offered NNPC’s support to combat the crime. Both agencies have agreed to share intelligence and resources to enhance their capacity and motivation to tackle fuel smuggling.
The collaboration aims to create a situation room for data sharing and to ensure the prosecution of arrested perpetrators.