The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Friday handed over 1,650 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit valued at N40.7 million to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for further investigation.
The handover ceremony took place at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos. Adeniyi, who was represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller-General Abubakar Aliyu, said the seized fuel was intercepted at various locations across Lagos State.
He explained that the contraband was recovered over the past nine weeks during intensified enforcement operations.
“In the space of nine weeks, our operatives intensified surveillance and enforcement across critical border communities. A total of 1,650 jerrycans of 25 litres each were seized along notorious smuggling routes, including Adodo, Seme, Owode Apa, Ajilete, Idjaun, Ilaro, Badagry, Idiroko, and Imeko. The total duty-paid value of the PMS is N40.7 million,” Adeniyi said.
He added that three tankers used in transporting the fuel were also intercepted. The vehicles were carrying 60,000, 45,000, and 49,000 litres respectively, bringing the total volume to 154,000 litres of PMS.
According to him, the seizures were made through intelligence-driven operations under Operation Whirlwind, a special tactical enforcement initiative launched by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2024 to combat cross-border smuggling of petroleum products and other contraband.
Adeniyi noted that the transportation and movement of petroleum products are regulated by strict frameworks and standard operating procedures. These measures are designed to prevent diversion, smuggling, hoarding, and economic sabotage.
“These items contravened the established Standard Operating Procedures of Operation Whirlwind,” he said. “Such violations undermine government policy, distort market stability, and deprive the nation of critical revenue.”
He described border corridors such as Owode, Seme, and Badagry as sensitive economic arteries that have historically been exploited for illegal petroleum movements.
“Under our watch, there will be no safe haven for economic sabotage,” he warned.
Adeniyi added that the handover to NMDPRA demonstrates strong inter-agency collaboration. While Customs enforces border control and anti-smuggling mandates, NMDPRA regulates petroleum distribution and ensures compliance with downstream laws.
“This collaboration ensures due process, transparency, and regulatory integrity,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the regulatory authority, Mrs Grace Dauda said the agency is committed to ensuring petroleum products produced in Nigeria are consumed locally.
“It is unfortunate that some businessmen attempt to smuggle the product out of the country. The public must work together to stop economic sabotage,” she said.
The Customs Service reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and energy security through sustained enforcement across vulnerable border communities.
