March 4, 2025
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, anti-smuggling operation tagged “Operation Whirlwind,” said it has intercepted 245,370 liters of petrol, valued at N238.1 million in less than three months.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this in Lagos, where he listed the recent seizures made by the operation at the Federal Operations Unit in Ikeja.
Adeniyi, stated that Nigeria petrol products were being smuggled across the borders due to the significant price difference which encourage smugglers to divert fuel to neighboring countries for higher profits.
“Our economic intelligence reveals that substantial price disparities across regional borders remain the fundamental catalyst for this illicit trade, fostering a profoundly lucrative black market that systematically undermines Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and national interests,” he explained.
Adeniyi gave a breakdown of major interceptions under Operation Whirlwind:
Jan. 30, 2025 = Adamawa State: 199,495 liters of petrol seized, valued at ₦199.5 million.
Feb. 17, 2025 = Kwara State 45,875 liters of petrol seized, worth ₦38.6 million.
Jan. 11 – Feb. 23, 2025 = Lagos and Ogun states, 28,300 liters of petrol intercepted along key smuggling routes.
The Customs boss, said the fuel smuggling trade as a deliberate systematic attempt to undermine Nigeria’s economic foundations.
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“While the government has implemented comprehensive market reforms and supply chain enhancements to stabilize the domestic petroleum sector, these criminal elements remain determined to exploit regional economic disparities for illicit profit,” he said.
Adeniyi stated that the criminal networks involved in the illicit trade are constantly refining and updating their smuggling techniques to evade law enforcement.
“While the government has implemented comprehensive market reforms and supply chain enhancements to stabilize the domestic petroleum sector, criminal networks remain determined to exploit regional economic disparities for illicit profit.
“These unscrupulous elements have shown remarkable adaptability, constantly refining their methods to circumvent our enforcement measures.
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“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,” he said.
He commended the Leader of Operations Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General Hussein Ejibuno, and his team for their efforts in protecting Nigeria’s economy and national security.
As announced as part of the seizure were three vehicles used for fuel smuggling alongside two suspects, who are currently facing trial.
Ejibuno reaffirmed his team’s commitment to dismantling smuggling networks and praised the Customs management for supporting their operations.
