The enforcement unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Operation Whirlwind, has handed over three intercepted fuel tankers carrying a combined 154,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Briefing journalists on Friday in Lagos, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the tankers—laden with 60,000, 49,000 and 45,000 litres respectively—were seized for illegal diversion along the Owode Apa, Seme and Badagry axis.
Represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind and Deputy Comptroller-General, Lucky Aliyu, Adeniyi disclosed that within nine weeks, operatives also intercepted 1,630 jerry cans of 25 litres each, amounting to 40,750 litres of PMS, across notorious smuggling routes including Ado-Odo, Seme, Owode Apa, Ajilete, Ijoun, Ilaro, Badagry, Idiroko, Eree and Imeko.
He said the seized 40,750 litres of PMS, with a duty-paid value of N40.75 million, were subsequently auctioned to members of the public in line with extant regulations.
“In a space of nine weeks, our operatives intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across critical border communities. This resulted in the seizure of 1,630 jerry cans of 25 litres each of PMS across notorious smuggling routes,” he said.
Adeniyi stressed that the operation is intelligence-driven and designed to safeguard Nigeria’s energy security. He noted that the transportation and movement of petroleum products are governed by clearly defined regulations and standard operating procedures aimed at preventing diversion, smuggling, hoarding and economic sabotage.
According to him, the intercepted products contravened established operational guidelines, undermining government policy, distorting market stability and depriving the nation of critical revenue.
“The border corridors of Owode Apa, Seme and Badagry remain sensitive economic zones that have historically been exploited for illegal cross-border petroleum movement. Under our watch, there will be no safe haven for economic sabotage,” he warned.
The Customs boss explained that the seized tankers were formally handed over to the NMDPRA for appropriate regulatory actions, underscoring strong inter-agency collaboration.
“While the Nigeria Customs Service enforces border control and anti-smuggling mandates, the NMDPRA regulates distribution and ensures compliance within the downstream sector. This synergy guarantees due process, transparency, safety and integrity,” he said.
He clarified that Operation Whirlwind is not targeted at legitimate trade but at individuals who attempt to circumvent national laws for personal gain. Adeniyi commended the NMDPRA for its technical expertise and robust regulatory framework, which aligns enforcement actions with global best practices while addressing vulnerabilities in the petroleum distribution chain.
He also lauded operatives of Operation Whirlwind for their professionalism, vigilance and discipline, attributing the success of the operation to their courage and commitment.
Earlier, a representative of the NMDPRA, Mrs. Grace Dauda, reaffirmed the agency’s mandate to ensure that petroleum products refined or distributed within Nigeria are consumed domestically.
“It is unfortunate that some businessmen attempt to move these products across neighbouring countries instead of ensuring local consumption. In collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, we have ensured that such products are intercepted.”
