As the Special Intelligence Squad(SIS ) of the Nigeria Customs Service prepares to wind its operations nationwide, the Squad codenamed “Operation Whirlwind” said it intercepted in recent operations in the South west region 1,577 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit(PMS), and arrested four suspects during the operation
By Innocent Chukwu
The Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) otherwise referred to as the Operation Whirlwind is set to wind up its operations nationwide, according to information available to this medium. Tentacle gathered that the SIS which was packaged last year under the supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), has served out its duration of existence with its major responsibility being to checkmate the smuggling of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) outside the country, as well as to curtail its supply to terrorists.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, May 30, 2025 on its latest operations, the national Coordinator for the Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) Hussein Ejibunu, said the Squad prides itself in following its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the letter, which includes never to shed blood while in operation. Ejibunu boasted that “For the past one year this operation started, we have not fired a shot. But in critical situations, we invited the military”.
The Service, Ejibunu who represented the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi at the media briefing, said that through the Operation Whirlwind, there was a targeted enforcement drive against the smuggling of PMS outside Nigeria. He announced that the SIS intercepted 1,577 Jerrycans of petrol of 25 litres each, amounting to 39,425 litres in the South west region and arrested four suspected smugglers in connection with the smuggled PMS. The ACG Ejibunu who disclosed the seizure on behalf of the CGC while showcasing some seized PMS products at the Customs Training College, Ikeja Lagos, also vowed that the service would thenceforth commence profiling of fuel stations operating around border communities in order to nip smuggling of the PMS in the bud.
Ejibunu said the seizures were made across various flash points around Ilaro, Imeko, Badagry, Owode, Ajilete, with investigations confirming that they were intended to be smuggled to neighboring Benin Republic. Ejibunu while conducting the media round the seizures gave furher details which showed that the Duty Paid Value of the PMS amounted to N39 million, while the value of the means of conveyance stood at N24m, cumulatively amounting to N63 million. He added that a total of four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. Ejibunu said, “We have two in court right now and we have two that we are still investigating to know if they are directly or remotely connected to the crime.
” If we see that the situation will be becoming chaotic, we invite the military. Like it happened somewhere in Mudi. Within 10 minutes, the military came and immediately they sighted the military, all of them dropped their weapons and ran away”.
The Customs boss has subsequently directed that the PMS should be auctioned immediately to the citizens, with a 25 liters jerrycan sold at an auction price of ₦10,000. Continuing, the CGC also said that the essence of profiling the filling stations around the borders is to dictate moribund and active fuel stations to identify the ones used for smuggling.
“And that is the essence of why we have to identify filling stations that are close to the border, that are moribund, those that are active so that we will know those that the Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority will give license to,” Adeniyi said.
According to him, fuel stations found wanting would be submitted to the NMDPRA for necessary actions.
“I have just mentioned that there are many and those that were found guilty would be dealt with by NMDPRA. It’s not for Customs to do; we are not the ones who issued their license,” Adeniyi said.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Patrick Musa, an Assistant Director at Lagos Southwest Regional Office of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) lauded the Operation Whirlwind for its efforts.
He stated that the interception of the products has reduced the fuel supply to criminal elements.
“The Customs have shown Nigerians that they dependable and capable, and that they have the capacity to protect our borders. The NMDPRA as an authority would continue to collaborate with the Customs, the office of the Attorney General, and the office of the National Security Adviser in cubbing the menace of Petroleum smugglers and marketers. We have to let them know that this time, it is not business as usual” he stated
The event was witnessed by representatives from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation,
Zonal Coordinator Zone A of Customs, Assistant Comptroller General, ACG Charles Orbih, as well as the Customs Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Compt Mohammed Shuaibu.
