Customs Thwart Cross-Border Smuggling of Petrol Valued at ₦80.4 Million

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its special task force Operation Whirlwind, has intercepted 1,980 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, valued at ₦80.4 million, that were being prepared for illegal export to the Republic of Benin.

Speaking in Ikeja on Tuesday, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Controller General of Customs Kola Oladeji, said the seizures were made across several notorious smuggling routes in Lagos and Ogun states over the past seven weeks. He explained that the operation was conducted following credible intelligence reports and involved the confiscation of seven vehicles used to convey the products.

Oladeji listed the interception points to include the Ajilete, Ijoun, Haro, Badagry, Owode Idiroko, Eree Ado-Odo, and Obada Imeko axes. He added that subsequent investigations led customs operatives to a filling station along Owode-Apa Road in Badagry, Lagos State, where serious infractions relating to the storage and sale of petroleum products were discovered. The station was immediately sealed, and one suspect was apprehended during a security sweep of the surrounding area. The suspect, he noted, was later granted administrative bail in line with legal provisions pending further investigation.

The Customs chief emphasized that Operation Whirlwind is part of a broader government initiative aimed at curbing fuel smuggling, hoarding, and economic sabotage. He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s resources, improving transparency in the downstream oil sector, and ensuring petroleum products remain available and affordable for citizens. Oladeji called on Nigerians to support the anti-smuggling campaign by providing credible information and complying with national laws to protect the country’s economic interests.