The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified surveillance across the country’s borders to combat petroleum product smuggling. This move was announced by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu at a high-level stakeholders meeting in Abuja.
The meeting, attended by representatives from key stakeholders such as NMDPRA, NNPCL, and IPMAN, aimed to address the challenge of petroleum smuggling in Nigeria. Ribadu described smuggling as a “cancer that kills” and emphasized the need for collaboration among security agencies to tackle the menace.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reiterated the NCS’ commitment to fulfilling its legal mandate, particularly in light of the NCS Act 2023. He acknowledged the complexity of petroleum products smuggling and highlighted recent operations aimed at dismantling smuggling syndicates.
The NCS is leveraging innovative technologies, including real-time monitoring systems and blockchain technology, to enhance border security and track oil and gas movements. The service remains committed to supporting legitimate businesses while suppressing illegitimate activities in the petroleum sector.
Stronger inter-agency collaboration was also emphasized by Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, to effectively combat petroleum smuggling.