Customs Vows To Strengthen ‘Operation Whirlwind’ After Reps’ Query

The House of Representatives has called on the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, to intensify efforts to curb the continued smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.

The directive followed a review of the agency’s 2023–2025 revenue performance by the House Committee on Finance, Chaired by Abiodun James Faleke.

Lawmakers commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for reforms introduced under his leadership but expressed concern that fuel smuggling remains prevalent, particularly in border states.

Responding, Adeniyi acknowledged the challenge, identifying Adamawa, Kwara, Borno and parts of Kebbi as areas of concern.

He said the Customs Service launched a special enforcement operation, known as Operation Whirlwind, following the removal of fuel subsidy.

The initiative was designed to prevent smugglers from exploiting price differences between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

“The price differential continues to create incentives for smuggling,” he said, pledging to restructure and strengthen the operation to increase seizures of illegally exported petroleum products.

On automation, Mr Adeniyi said between 60% and 70% of Customs processes including payments, manifest transmission and cargo declarations have been digitised.

He added that the Service is prepared to support the rollout of a national single window system but noted that full automation requires cooperation from other government agencies and private sector stakeholders.

Lawmakers cautioned that increased reliance on artificial intelligence and digital platforms must be matched with stronger cyber-security safeguards.

Addressing revenue targets, Mr Adeniyi said Customs could meet its 13 trillion naira projection.

However, he noted that the suspension of certain excise duties on telecommunications products, plastics and some beverages had reduced projected revenue by about three trillion naira.

He also pointed to improved inter-agency collaboration at airports, partly in response to compliance requirements set by the Financial Action Task Force, which previously placed Nigeria on its grey list.

According to him, coordinated efforts under the Office of the National Security Adviser have improved scanner deployment, strengthened currency declaration procedures and enhanced information sharing contributing to Nigeria’s removal from the monitoring list.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji