Customs leads renewed efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders and combat oil smuggling

Nigeria, a country blessed with abundant natural resources, has long been grappling with the challenges of securing its borders and preventing the smuggling of petroleum products. The country’s strategic location, extensive borders spanning over 4,000 kilometers and the presence of porous entry points have made it vulnerable to the activities of economic saboteurs and criminal gangs with their destructive networks.

The country loses huge amounts of money annually to this illicit trade, which sucks away vital resources needed for national development and undermines government revenue. In 2013, the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, disclosed that the government was losing $1 billion monthly to crude oil theft. Nigeria’s Natural Resource Charter, NNRC, also estimated that the country lost N1.6 trillion in 2016 and N995 billion in 2017 to crude oil theft, which amounts to a loss of about $8.9 million per day and a combined loss of N2.6 trillion over the two-year period.

The smuggling of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders has also fueled the activities of bandits and insurgents such as Boko Haram, who exploit the porous borders to infiltrate and destabilize the country. These groups have access to small arms and light weapons that are often smuggled into the country and the deadly weapons pose a significant threat to the peace and stability of the country.

Customs officials on the firing line

Indeed, Nigeria Customs Service personnel have faced significant risks while carrying out their duties at border posts. There have been numerous reports of attacks on customs personnel by smugglers who are often armed and prepared to use violence to protect their illegal activities.

In July, for example, a tragic incident occurred involving Inspector Hamza Abdullahi-Elenwo of the Nigeria Customs Service. During a stop-and-search operation at Achilafia along the Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State, he was hit by a vehicle driven by a suspected smuggler who was trying to evade arrest. The officer was rushed to Kazaure General Hospital and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre in Katsina where he succumbed to his injuries. Two weeks later, Customs Assistant Auwal Haruna was tragically killed during an operation to intercept a convoy suspected of illegally transporting goods from Nigeria at a checkpoint in Katsina State.

These incidents highlight the dangers customs officials face in their work as they deal with increasingly desperate smugglers.

Renewed strength in the fight against petroleum smuggling

The Federal Government, recognizing the seriousness of petroleum theft, has taken several steps to address the challenges. A significant development is the high-level stakeholders meeting chaired by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in early September.

The meeting brought together key entities, namely the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria. The meeting adopted robust resolutions to strengthen the country’s fight against petroleum smuggling.

At the top of the scale is the launch of a comprehensive public awareness campaign to inform Nigerians about the detrimental effects of petroleum smuggling on the economy and national security. The campaign, which will be a joint effort by all participating agencies, is expected to use various media platforms to reach different segments of the society.

Stakeholders also pledged to disengage from smuggling activities and strengthen internal controls. They pledged to work closely with the NCS and other relevant agencies to identify and address smuggling activities. A formal mechanism for regular feedback from stakeholders on anti-smuggling efforts was established, including periodic review meetings with the participation of all relevant agencies and associations.

Inter-agency cooperation and technology integration are important; therefore, the forum stressed the need for stronger cooperation between stakeholders and security services to support Operation Whirlwind and combat smuggling more effectively. Participants agreed that a new Liaison and Cooperation Centre should be established to improve coordination of strategies.

The meeting acknowledged the financial demands of the fight against smuggling and called for increased funding for Operation Whirlwind to enhance its effectiveness. NNPC Ltd and NMDPRA, in collaboration with the NCS, have also committed to exploring and implementing advanced technologies to improve the monitoring and control of petroleum products throughout the supply chain.

Community involvement and improving the legal framework

Another key strategy is the involvement of community leaders in border areas as partners in the fight against smuggling. By leveraging local knowledge and collaboration, the Operation Whirlwind team, with support from other agencies, aims to develop a strategy to actively engage communities in anti-smuggling efforts. The NSA is expected to work with relevant government agencies to implement existing laws, impose stricter penalties for smuggling and provide greater legal support for anti-smuggling operations. The forum encouraged the NCS to prosecute offenders and ensure enforcement of these laws.

Sustainable anti-smuggling strategy and monitoring

The NCS, in collaboration with NMDPRA and NNPC Ltd., also agreed to develop a sustainable long-term strategy to combat petroleum smuggling. The strategy will be reviewed and updated annually under the supervision of the NSA to keep the fight against smuggling at the forefront and respond to changing challenges.

To monitor the implementation of these resolutions and provide periodic progress reports to the NSA, a joint monitoring team has been established, consisting of representatives from all participating agencies and associations. This team will ensure accountability and transparency in the fight against petroleum smuggling.

Challenges and the way forward

Despite these efforts, Nigeria still faces major challenges in securing its borders and combating petroleum smuggling. The active presence of bandits continues to destabilize border regions, making it difficult for security agencies to create long-term stability. The ease with which criminals cross the border from neighboring countries and regroup is causing sleepless nights for security agencies.

There is indeed a need for an integrated border security system that combines physical security measures with modern technology, similar to strategies used in the US, Turkey and India. The creation of a dedicated border security force, well equipped and placed under the Nigerian Army or the Defence Headquarters, could help prevent rivalry among security agencies and improve coordination.

Moving military formations and units closer to vulnerable borders and high-threat areas would allow for the implementation of a preventive strategy and deny armed groups a safe haven. Securing the forests bordering the borders that provide sanctuary to bandits and criminal gangs is also crucial.

Securing Nigeria’s borders and combating petroleum smuggling is a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive approach. By developing an integrated border security system, establishing a dedicated border security force, and implementing preventive strategies, Nigeria can make significant strides in protecting its borders and citizens. The commitment of all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector entities, and communities, is essential to the success of these efforts.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, had in July taken a significant step in strengthening global partnerships by participating in a bilateral meeting with US Customs and Border Protection in Washington, DC, which focused on reviving the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement. The aim is to improve service delivery through global cooperation and data-driven decision-making, enhance national security and effectively combat transnational crime.

Adeniyi stressed that the NCS is actively engaged in addressing the challenges of transnational crime, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling and money laundering, while ensuring national security.

“Reviving the CMAA will enhance the capacity of the Nigeria Customs Service to protect the country’s borders and improve service delivery, paving the way for a safer and more prosperous future for all Nigerians,” the CGC said.