The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has highlighted insecurity in Borno State as a major challenge in tackling petrol smuggling. Hussein Ejibunu, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind Zone A, discussed this issue at a press briefing in Ikeja, where several seized petrol kegs were shown.
Ejibunu also pointed out the lack of manpower as another key obstacle, explaining that the team faces challenges due to limited resources. Despite this, he stressed that they continue to work with what they have.
Regarding Borno, Ejibunu mentioned the difficulty of operating in the state due to security concerns. He explained that officers were advised to leave the area, preventing the team from covering that region fully.
The NCS relies on an intelligence-driven approach to tackle smuggling, with Ejibunu emphasizing that they don’t use checkpoints. Instead, the team gathers intelligence and acts quickly, with operations kept discreet.
Ejibunu shared recent successes, including the seizure of 849 kegs of petrol, totaling 30,225 litres, and two smuggling vehicles. He also revealed the arrest of a fuel station dispensing petrol into jerry cans, now under investigation.