The Nigeria Customs Service, operating under Operation Whirlwind, has confiscated petroleum products worth ₦181.6 million over an eight-week period along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, ACG Kolapo Oladeji, revealed this during a press briefing on Thursday in Yola.
He explained that the interceptions were carried out across multiple smuggling hotspots in Adamawa during 55 separate operations.
“This operation is geared towards energy and food security to foster economic growth in line with the core mandates of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu.
“In line with these mandates, Operation Whirlwind Zone D has repositioned all its machinery across its areas of responsibility, ensuring that the border becomes airtight,” he said.
He warned smugglers to desist from the acts and sought continued support and cooperation from stakeholders for the socioeconomic development of the state.
“We will ensure that the supply chains of these economic wreckers are truncated in accordance with enabling laws.
“This fight has helped in transforming the nation’s economy and strengthening the security of our borders,” he added.
He also said the seized petroleum products would be auctioned to the public.
Mrs Abidemi Adewumi-Aluko, Assistant Legal Adviser at the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, described the planned auction as a measure to reclaim resources and ensure petroleum benefits remain in Nigeria.
She said such offences attracted life imprisonment because they threatened national security.
She urged smugglers to desist from the acts.
