Custom seizes petroleum products worth N181.6m in Adamawa

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, under “Operation Whirlwind,” has seized petroleum products worth N181.6 million in eight weeks along the Nigeria–Cameroon borders.

ACG Kolapo Oladeji, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Yola.

He said the seizures were made across various smuggling flashpoints in Adamawa during 55 different 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 such acts and solicited the continued support and cooperation of all 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 no doubt helped in transforming the nation’s economy and strengthening the security of our borders,” he said.

He further stated that the seized petroleum products would be auctioned to the public.

Mrs. Abidemi Adewumi-Aluko, Assistant Legal Adviser in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, described the auction as a symbol of reclaiming resources to ensure that the benefits of petroleum remain in Nigeria.

She added that such offences attract life imprisonment because they threaten national security, urging smugglers to stop the illegal act.