Customs Seizes 273,670 Litres of Smuggled Petrol Worth ₦273.9 Million
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 273,670 litres of smuggled petroleum products valued at ₦273,940,000 across multiple states under its special enforcement initiative, Operation Whirlwind.
At a press briefing in Lagos, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized that curbing petrol smuggling is crucial to Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security.
Speaking at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) in Ikeja, Lagos, he provided a breakdown of the seizures:
“In Adamawa State on January 30, officers intercepted 199,495 liters worth ₦199,495,000, while in Kwara on February 17, an additional 45,875 liters valued at ₦38,645,000 were confiscated.
“The most recent seizures in Lagos and Ogun states further highlight the scale of this illicit trade. Between January 11 and February 23, NCS operatives in Zone A confiscated 28,300 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦35,800,000.”
According to Adeniyi, intelligence-led operations have uncovered key smuggling routes. The Badagry-Seme corridor accounted for 35% of seizures, the Imeko-Afon axis 25%, the Ilaro-Ojodan network 22%, and the Owode-Ajilete route 18%.
Customs intelligence has also observed a shift in smuggling strategies, with smugglers now preferring daylight operations (9 AM – 2 PM) instead of night smuggling, community-based storage in border towns, modified vehicles with hidden compartments, and smaller-volume trips to avoid detection.
“These unscrupulous elements have shown remarkable adaptability, constantly refining their methods to circumvent our enforcement measures,” Adeniyi remarked.
“What we are witnessing is not just routine customs violations but a systematic attempt to undermine Nigeria’s economic foundations through the diversion of strategic national resources.”
Adeniyi credited the success of Operation Whirlwind to collaboration with the National Security Adviser’s Office and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
“This collaborative framework, championed by the National Security Adviser and vigorously supported by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, characterizes the administration’s proactive stance on security governance,” he noted.
“The President’s directive on preemptive response to early warning signals of security threats has fundamentally transformed our operational approach, enabling seamless intelligence sharing and coordinated tactical responses across security and regulatory agencies.”
To further combat petrol smuggling, Customs will implement advanced surveillance technology along smuggling routes, specialized tactical response teams for petroleum product interception, stronger community engagement for intelligence gathering, and data-driven risk assessment to optimize enforcement.
Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance on smuggling, Adeniyi warned:
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“Let me be clear: there will be no safe haven for smugglers in our operational areas. We shall maintain this momentum and continue to adapt our strategies to counter the dynamic tactics of these economic saboteurs.”
He also praised Customs officers for their resilience and assured Nigerians that the Service remains committed to protecting the nation’s economic interests.
“NCS will continue to protect Nigeria’s economic interests and ensure that the benefits of government policies reach all citizens. We shall continue to justify the confidence reposed in us by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration,” he concluded.
