The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its crackdown on petrol smuggling with the public auction of 43,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized across border communities in the Niger/Kwara axis.
Addressing stakeholders at the Kwara Area Command in Ilorin on Wednesday, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, said the exercise was carried out on the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Aliyu disclosed that the fuel was intercepted following credible intelligence, leading to the seizure of 1,510 jerrycans of 25 litres each and 30 drums of 200 litres, with a total estimated value of N43.75 million.
According to him, “This operation, executed with precision and diligence, underscores our commitment to curbing the diversion and smuggling of petroleum products which threaten Nigeria’s economic stability.”
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He noted that the seizures were made across several smuggling flashpoints, including Kaima, Shiya, Kenu, Boriya, Luma, Bokuru-Baruten, Ilesha-Baruba, Taberu and Salla-Gwanara, areas long associated with cross-border illicit trade.
The Customs official warned that petrol smuggling remains a major economic threat, stressing that it deprives the country of revenue, distorts supply chains and fuels artificial scarcity.
“Smuggling of petroleum products is a serious act of economic sabotage. It not only weakens our borders but also empowers criminal networks and imposes hardship on law-abiding Nigerians through inflated fuel prices,” Aliyu said.
He commended the Office of the National Security Adviser under Nuhu Ribadu for providing intelligence support, as well as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for ensuring regulatory compliance.
Aliyu also praised the leadership of the Customs Service, noting that support from the Comptroller-General and his management team has strengthened Operation Whirlwind’s capacity to deliver results.
He issued a stern warning to smugglers, declaring that security agencies would no longer tolerate illegal activities.
“The era of impunity is over. We will continue to identify, pursue and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate,” he stated.
The Customs official further appealed to residents of border communities to support ongoing efforts by providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Customs Area Controller for Kwara Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Ogundeyi, commended Operation Whirlwind and partner agencies for their professionalism and synergy.
“The success recorded is a reflection of strong collaboration and intelligence sharing among security agencies. We urge stakeholders to sustain this cooperation in the national interest,” Ogundeyi said.
The auction, according to Customs, is part of measures to ensure transparency and proper management of seized petroleum products, while reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s resources.