The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its enforcement against fuel smuggling with the public auction of 43,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized across border communities in the Niger/Kwara axis.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Kwara Area Command in Ilorin while addressing stakeholders on the exercise carried out under the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Aliyu said the product was intercepted based on credible intelligence, leading to the seizure of 1,510 jerrycans of 25 litres each and 30 drums of 200 litres, valued at about N43.75 million.
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He explained that the operations were conducted across several border flashpoints, including Kaima, Shiya, Kenu, Boriya, Luma, Bokuru-Baruten, Ilesha-Baruba, Taberu and Salla-Gwanara, all known routes for illicit cross-border trade.
“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” he said.
Aliyu warned that fuel smuggling remains a serious threat to national revenue and security, stressing that it fuels scarcity, distorts distribution channels and empowers criminal networks.
“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,” he said.
He commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for intelligence support, as well as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for regulatory cooperation.
The Customs official also praised the leadership of the service for strengthening Operation Whirlwind through consistent backing and operational support.
He reiterated the agency’s resolve to sustain the clampdown on smuggling networks.
“The era of impunity is over. We will continue to identify, pursue and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate,” he stated.
Aliyu further urged residents of border communities to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence to aid operations.
Also speaking, the Acting Customs Area Controller for Kwara Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Ogundeyi, commended inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing that led to the success of the operation.
“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,” he said.
The Customs Service said the auction is part of measures to ensure transparency in the handling of seized petroleum products and to reinforce efforts to protect Nigeria’s economic resources.
