Curbing menace of petrol smuggling: National Security Adviser applauds CGC Adeniyi on border surveillance

Curbing menace of petrol smuggling:
National Security Adviser applauds CGC Adeniyi on border surveillance

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has applauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on his commitment in tightening security surveillance across Nigeria’s borders to curb the menace of smuggling petroleum products outside the country.

Ribadu gave this commendation during stakeholders meeting held on Monday, 9 September 2024, at NSA office in Abuja, reminding the participants that; “They convened to address the recurring challenge of petrol smuggling, which threatens Nigeria’s economy and national security.”

In his opening remarks, Ribadu praised the efforts of Customs under Adeniyi’s leadership, highlighting the agency’s role in not only securing Nigeria’s borders but also safeguarding the integrity of the country’s economy.

He described petroleum smuggling as a “cancer that kills,” stating that it drains vital resources needed for national development and undermines government revenue.

Mr. Ribadu, however, stressed that the nation’s security apparatus must agree to work in synergy to tackle the smuggling menace, which, according to him, will continue to destabilise the oil sector and foster illegal activities across the country’s borders if not properly addressed.

The NSA appreciated the strong presence of key stakeholders, including representatives from  Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), among others.

In his remarks, CGC Adeniyi emphasised the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to fulfilling its legal mandate, especially in the light of NCS Act 2023, which he said, empowers the agency to enforce strict measures against smuggling activities across the country.

CGC Adeniyi, who acknowledged the complexity of petroleum products smuggling, reiterated Customs resolve to address the challenge by dismantling smuggling syndicates.

“What we are doing here today is a clear demonstration of the good intentions of the Office of the National Security Adviser that has provided us with a platform to mount and execute special operations against smuggling,” Adeniyi said.

He added, “Repositioning Nigeria’s economy and the oil sector are crucial objectives, and as an organisation, the Nigeria Customs Service is ready to play its role in achieving this.”

The Customs Boss explained that the Service is leveraging innovative technologies to enhance border security, stating that “One key initiative is the integration of real-time monitoring systems, similar to those used by Dubai Customs, which successfully employed blockchain technology to track and authenticate oil and gas movements.”

He also urged stakeholders to focus on transparency and accountability throughout the petroleum supply chain. He acknowledged that smuggling is driven by factors beyond the Customs control, but pledged that NCS would not relent in its efforts to clamp down on the illegal trade.

“We remain committed to ensuring that legitimate businesses thrive, while at the same time, we will not hesitate to suppress any form of illegitimate activities in the petroleum sector,” he emphasised.