Nigeria Customs Service Intensifies Anti-Fuel Smuggling Drive, Deploys Fresh Officers to Operation Whirlwind

Nigeria Customs Service Intensifies Anti-Fuel Smuggling Drive, Deploys Fresh Officers to Operation Whirlwind

 Abuja – June 4, 2025

In a determined move to curb the smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across Nigeria’s borders, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deployed newly inducted officers to bolster Operation Whirlwind — the tactical anti-smuggling initiative launched in May 2024.

The deployment ceremony, held on June 3, 2025, in Abuja, marked a significant step in the Customs Service’s renewed commitment to protecting the nation’s economy and fuel distribution system.

Speaking at the induction, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, charged the officers to operate with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. “We must always affirm to be above board on all matters. Ensure that your integrity is never compromised, and you are not found to have abused your position in this operation,” he stated.

CGC Adeniyi further noted that the objective of Operation Whirlwind is to safeguard Nigeria’s fuel supply and ensure that the country’s petroleum products are not diverted to neighbouring nations. “Customs is critical to achieving the vision of fuel product availability in Nigeria. Through this operation, we must deliver impactful service to the nation,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of technology in enhancing operational efficiency, revealing that the officers will undergo training in Geospatial Intelligence tools to support field operations.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General Hussein Ejibunu, reiterated the strategic importance of the mission, urging the deployed personnel to maintain discipline, focus, and momentum. “The success of this operation lies in strategic execution and your individual commitment. Sustain the tempo already built,” he advised.

Operation Whirlwind has become a cornerstone in the fight against fuel smuggling, reinforcing the NCS’s role as a key player in securing Nigeria’s economic interests and ensuring energy stability.

The deployment of the new officers signals the Service’s resolve to scale up enforcement and intelligence-led operations in tackling cross-border fuel racketeering.