NSA Applauds CGC Adeniyi’s Efforts to Bolster Border Security Amid Petroleum Smuggling Crisis

NSA Applauds CGC Adeniyi’s Efforts to Bolster Border Security Amid Petroleum Smuggling Crisis

...As High-Level Petroleum Stakeholders Meet at ONSA Office, Abuja

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has commended the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, for his unwavering commitment to strengthening border security to combat petroleum product smuggling. Ribadu made this remark during a high-level stakeholders meeting held on Monday, 9 September 2024, at the Office of the NSA (ONSA) in Abuja.

The meeting was convened to tackle the persistent challenge of petroleum smuggling, which has been identified as a significant threat to Nigeria’s economy and national security. 

In his opening address, Ribadu lauded the leadership of the Customs Service under Adeniyi, noting the agency’s crucial role in safeguarding both Nigeria’s borders and its economic integrity. Describing petroleum smuggling as a “cancer that kills,” the NSA highlighted how it drains resources needed for national development and undermines government revenue.

He emphasized the need for a unified security front to confront the menace, stating that smuggling would continue to destabilize the oil sector and foster illegal activities across the country's borders if left unchecked. Ribadu expressed appreciation for the presence of key stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

In his remarks, Comptroller-General Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to fulfilling its legal mandate, especially under the newly enacted NCS Act 2023, which empowers the agency to enforce stringent anti-smuggling measures across Nigeria.

Adeniyi acknowledged the complexities involved in curbing petroleum smuggling but highlighted recent successful operations led by Comptroller Ejibunu, which dismantled several smuggling syndicates. He further praised the collaborative efforts initiated by the ONSA, which has provided a platform for mounting and executing special operations against smuggling.

“We are focused on repositioning Nigeria’s economy and the oil sector, and as an organization, the Customs Service is ready to play its part,” Adeniyi stated. He also shared that the NCS is employing innovative technologies, such as real-time monitoring systems similar to those used by Dubai Customs, to enhance border security and track oil and gas movements using blockchain technology.

The Customs Boss called for greater transparency and accountability across the petroleum supply chain, acknowledging that some factors driving smuggling fall beyond the control of the Customs Service. However, he pledged that the agency would continue its efforts to clamp down on the illegal trade and ensure legitimate businesses thrive.

Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, stressed the importance of stronger inter-agency collaboration in the fight against smuggling. He noted that effective anti-smuggling efforts require the combined strength of multiple government agencies, including the NCS, NMDPRA, NNPC Ltd., and security services. Ejibunu also called for increased funding and logistical support to enhance operations.

The stakeholders unanimously expressed their commitment to eliminating petroleum smuggling and securing Nigeria’s borders. A joint communique was signed by NSA Ribadu, Comptroller-General Adeniyi, and other key representatives from NNPC Limited, NMDPRA, and IPMAN, outlining a series of resolutions aimed at tackling the crisis.

In his closing remarks, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, read out the newly agreed resolutions and affirmed the collective resolve to protect Nigeria’s economy and curb smuggling activities. 

The meeting marked a critical step towards bolstering national security and safeguarding the country’s vital oil sector from the threat of smuggling.