Customs seize 1,630 jerrycans of smuggled petrol worth N40.7m in Lagos, Ogun
Operatives of Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted 1,630 jerrycans of 25 litres each of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across key border routes between Lagos
Operatives of Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted 1,630 jerrycans of 25 litres each of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across key border routes between Lagos and parts of Ogun State.
The seizures occurred at flashpoints around Badagry, Seme, Ilaro, Imeko, Owode Apa, Ajilete, and other border communities.
Addressing journalists at the Customs Training School, Ikeja, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed that the contraband was intercepted over the last nine weeks.
He stated that the total duty paid value of the seized PMS is N40.7 million.
“In the space of nine weeks, our operatives intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across critical border communities. A total of 1,630 jerrycans of 25 litres each were intercepted across routes, including Adodo, Seme, Owode Apa, Ajilete, Idjaun, Ilaro, Badagry, Idiroko, and Imeko axis. The total duty paid value of the PMS is N40.7 million,” he said.
Adeniyi added that three tankers used as conveyance were also intercepted, carrying 60,000 litres, 45,000 litres, and 49,000 litres respectively, totaling 154,000 litres of PMS.
He described the operation as intelligence-driven, noting that the interceptions resulted from sustained surveillance and enforcement efforts aimed at protecting the nation’s economy and energy security.
According to him, the movement and distribution of petroleum products are regulated by established frameworks and standard operating procedures designed to prevent diversion, smuggling, hoarding, and economic sabotage.
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He stressed that the intercepted items contravened Operation Whirlwind's operational guidelines, warning that such activities undermine government policy, distort market stability, and deprive the country of vital revenue.
Adeniyi further noted that border corridors such as Owode, Seme, and Badagry remain sensitive economic routes requiring sustained monitoring.
"These routes have historically been exploited for illegal cross-border petroleum movement. However, let it be clearly stated: under our watch, there will be no haven for economic sabotage," he warned.
Adeniyi stated that in accordance with the service's operational mandate and pursuant to the established inter-agency collaboration framework, "we are formally handing over to NMDPRA. This action underscores institutional synergy."
He emphasized that there is no haven or hiding place for smugglers and economic saboteurs as the Service's operatives will continue to disrupt all their illegal activities, reducing them to the barest minimum.
He added that while the service enforces border control and anti-smuggling mandates, NMDPRA regulates distribution and ensures compliance with downstream state laws.
"This collaboration will ensure due process, transparency, and regulatory integrity," he concluded.
Earlier, the representative of NMDPRA, Mrs. Grace Dauda, said that the agency has the responsibility to ensure that petroleum products produced in this country are consumed here.
"Unfortunately, some businessmen try to smuggle the product out of the country," Dauda said.
She urged the general public to work together to ensure that economic sabotage stops.
Operation Whirlwind is a special tactical enforcement operation launched by the NCS in 2024 to crack down on cross-border smuggling of petroleum products, especially PMS, and other contraband that undermine Nigeria’s economic security and lawful trade. It was established in response to a surge in illegal fuel diversion across Nigeria’s borders.
On the instruction of the Comptroller General of the Service, the petroleum products were immediately auctioned to the public at N10,000 per 25 liters.
