By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) through its enforcement outfit, Operation Whirlwind,has intensified its border surveillance, seizing smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth N40.75 million.
The seized goods include three fuel tankers carrying 154,000 litres of PMS, which have been transferred to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further regulatory action.
The tankers, intercepted along the Owode Apa, Seme, and Badagry corridors, were seized for breaching petroleum transportation regulations. Additionally, Customs operatives confiscated 1,630 jerry cans filled with 25 litres of PMS each, totalling 40,750 litres.
Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this known during a media briefing at the Customs Training College in Lagos.
Adeniyi, represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller General Lucky Aliyu,
The Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, Lucky Aliyu, explained that the tankers, laden with 60,000, 49,000, and 45,000 litres, respectively, were intercepted along the Owode Apa, Seme, and Badagry corridors for breaching petroleum transportation regulations.
Beyond the tanker seizures, Customs operatives also confiscated 1,630 jerry cans filled with 25 litres of PMS each, totalling 40,750 litres. These interceptions occurred within nine weeks across several border communities identified as smuggling hotspots, including Ado-Odo, Seme, Owode Apa, Ajilete, Ijoun, Ilaro, Badagry, Idiroko, Eree, and Imeko.
DCG Aliyu disclosed that the 40,750 litres of seized petrol, valued at N40.75 million, were sold to the public through an approved auction process. He stated that the exercise was conducted in accordance with existing laws and guidelines to ensure openness and due process.
Aliyu stressed that Operation Whirlwind relies heavily on intelligence gathering and strategic enforcement to protect Nigeria’s energy supply chain.
He noted that the movement of petroleum products is regulated by strict operational guidelines designed to curb diversion, hoarding, and cross-border smuggling. He further described the Owode Apa, Seme, and Badagry border routes as economically strategic but vulnerable to illegal fuel trafficking.
According to him, Customs will continue to maintain heightened surveillance in these areas and will not tolerate acts capable of undermining government policy or national revenue.
The seized petrol was sold to the public through an approved auction process, with the NCS emphasizing its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s energy supply chain through intelligence gathering and strategic enforcement.
The Deputy Comptroller General added that handing the seized tankers to NMDPRA reflects effective collaboration between government agencies. While Customs focuses on border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations, the regulatory authority oversees distribution standards and compliance within the downstream petroleum sector.
In her remarks, NMDPRA representative Grace Dauda reaffirmed the agency’s mandate to ensure petroleum products refined or distributed within Nigeria are consumed locally.
Dauda said the authority is working closely with Customs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to prevent illegal exportation of petroleum products and safeguard national interests.
