The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, on Friday handed over 1,650 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at N40.7 million, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for further investigation.
Speaking to journalists at the handover ceremony held at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Adeniyi said the seized fuel was intercepted at several locations, including Badagry, Owode, Seme, and other areas across Lagos State.
Represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller-General Abubakar Aliyu, he explained that the contraband was seized over the past nine weeks.
“In the space of nine weeks, our operatives intensified surveillance and enforcement across critical border communities. A total of 1,650 jerrycans of 25 litres each were seized along notorious smuggling routes, including Adodo, Seme, Owode Apa, Ajilete, Idjaun, Ilaro, Badagry, Idiroko, and Imeko. The total duty-paid value of the PMS is N40.7 million,” Adeniyi said.
He further revealed that three tankers used to convey the fuel were loaded with 60,000, 45,000, and 49,000 litres respectively, amounting to 154,000 litres of PMS.
Adeniyi noted that the seizures resulted from intelligence-led operations and the vigilance of Operation Whirlwind in protecting Nigeria’s economy and energy security.
He explained that the transport and movement of petroleum products are regulated by frameworks and standard procedures aimed at preventing diversion, smuggling, hoarding, and economic sabotage.
“These items contravened the established Standard Operating Procedures of Operation Whirlwind,” Adeniyi said, stressing that such violations weaken government policy, disrupt market stability, and deny the country vital revenue.
He warned that border corridors such as Owode, Seme, and Badagry remain sensitive economic routes. “These routes have historically been exploited for illegal cross-border petroleum movement. Under our watch, there will be no safe haven for economic sabotage,” he said.
Adeniyi stated that transferring the seized fuel to NMDPRA demonstrates inter-agency cooperation. “While Customs enforces border control and anti-smuggling mandates, NMDPRA regulates distribution and ensures compliance with downstream laws. This collaboration ensures due process, transparency, and regulatory integrity,” he said.
Representing the NMDPRA, Mrs. Grace Dauda said the agency works to ensure petroleum products produced in Nigeria are consumed locally. “It is unfortunate that some businessmen attempt to smuggle the product out of the country. The public must work together to stop economic sabotage,” she said.
Operation Whirlwind is a special tactical enforcement initiative launched by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2024 to curb cross-border smuggling of petroleum products, particularly PMS, and other contraband threatening Nigeria’s economic security. It was created in response to a surge in illegal fuel diversion nationwide.