How Customs Seized 245,370 Litres of Fuel Worth N238m in Three Months*
In a decisive effort to combat fuel smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a staggering 245,370 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N238.14 million in just three months.
The intensified crackdown, spearheaded by Operation Whirlwind, signals a new era of aggressive enforcement against illicit fuel trade.
At a press briefing in Ikeja, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s energy security and economic stability.
“Fuel smuggling is more than just an illegal act; it is a direct attack on Nigeria’s economic foundation. The Nigeria Customs Service will not stand by while strategic national resources are diverted for illicit gains,” he said.
Operation Whirlwind, launched to dismantle smuggling syndicates, recently intercepted 28,300 litres of PMS worth N35.8 million along the Lagos-Ogun border.
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This seizure adds to the growing tally of confiscations that expose the sophisticated networks exploiting enforcement loopholes to siphon petroleum products out of the country.
Between January 11 and February 23, 2025, customs officers intercepted fuel hidden in 1,132 jerrycans (25 litres each) and three vehicles—a Toyota Camry, a Volkswagen, and another Toyota Camry—all adapted for smuggling.
The CGC assured that the NCS would continue to refine its strategies to counter smugglers’ evolving tactics.
“Let me be clear, there will be no safe haven for smugglers in our operational areas. We shall continue to adapt our strategies to counter the dynamic tactics of these economic saboteurs,” Adeniyi said.
Commending the officers of Operation Whirlwind, led by ACG Hussein Ejibunu, Adeniyi praised their bravery and commitment, emphasizing that the agency remains resolute in its mission to curb fuel smuggling and protect Nigeria’s economic lifeline.
By PRNigeria
