The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone ‘A’, under Operation Whirlwind, intercepted 595 jerrycans of 25 litres of smuggled petroleum products at multiple locations spanning Lagos and key flashpoints in Ogun State, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, and the Seme-Badagry corridor.
Acting on directives from Comptroller General
Adewale Adeniyi, the seized fuel has been auctioned to the public at N10,000
per 25-litre jerrycan, in a bid to dismantle criminal networks undermining
national security and economic stability.
Speaking at the Customs Training School in Ikeja,
Lagos, the national coordinator of the operation, Abubakar Aliyu, stated that
the contraband was intercepted over the past four weeks through enhanced
surveillance, intelligence gathering, and intensified enforcement along major
smuggling routes.
Aliyu emphasized that the seizures aim to protect
the nation’s economic interests, strengthen energy security, and prevent
petroleum products meant for local consumption from being diverted abroad. He
noted that the border corridors at Owode, Seme, and Badagry remain critical
economic arteries.
The duty-paid value of the seized Premium Motor
Spirit (PMS) stands at ₦14,875,000.50.
Operation Whirlwind, he said, is a targeted anti-smuggling initiative
designed to prevent the illegal movement of petroleum products across Nigeria’s
borders. Its core aim is to safeguard the nation’s economic interests,
strengthen energy security, and ensure that petroleum products intended for
local consumption are not unlawfully diverted for export
“Over the past four weeks, acting on credible
intelligence, our operatives successfully dismantled a coordinated smuggling
network involved in the illegal exportation of PMS to neighboring countries.
During this operation, a total of 595 jerry-cans of 25 litres each were
intercepted, amounting to 14,875 litres. These seizures were made across key
flashpoints, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, and Seme-Badagry.
“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized
products stands at Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Seven- Five Thousand
Naira Only ₦14,875,000. The Seized PMS Products up for auction today were
seized through dedicated enforcement operations and reliable
intelligence.
“They had been earmarked for illegal export to
neighboring country in direct contravention of national laws regulating the
distribution and movement of petroleum products.”
He emphasised that petroleum smuggling is not
a victimless crime.
“It undermines the national economy, deprives the
government of vital revenue, disrupts the domestic supply chain, and creates
artificial scarcity that negatively impacts citizens.
“In line with legal provisions and our
commitment to transparency, accountability, and due process, the seized PMS is
being disposed of through this public auction.
“This ensures that the products are reintegrated
into the legitimate domestic supply chain rather than being diverted into
illegal channels. This auction is being carried out with the participation of
relevant government agencies, security personnel, civil society groups, and
media representatives to guarantee transparency, accountability, and integrity,
in the disposal process,” he said.
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