Nigeria Customs Seizes 28,300 Litres of Smuggled Petroleum Under Operation Whirlwind
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and seized 28,300 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) within the Lagos/Ogun axis under the ongoing Operation Whirlwind.
This latest enforcement action, announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs during a press briefing at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) in Ikeja, Lagos, underscores the agency’s intensified efforts to curb the illegal diversion of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General emphasised the grave economic and security implications of petroleum smuggling, stating:
“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. Each litre of petroleum product smuggled across our borders represents a direct loss of revenue, fuels domestic scarcity, and destabilises the market.”
The government has implemented comprehensive market reforms and supply chain enhancements to stabilise the petroleum sector.
However, criminal networks persist in exploiting regional economic disparities for illicit profit.
Intelligence reports indicate that price differences across regional borders remain a key driver of this black-market trade, which poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and energy security.
The Operation Whirlwind task force, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has yielded remarkable successes since its inception.
In less than three months, the operation has led to the seizure of 245,370 litres of PMS valued at N238,140,000, excluding today’s figures.
Prior to the Lagos seizures, significant interceptions were made in: Adamawa State (30 January 2025) – 199,495 litres valued at ₦199,495,000 and Kwara State (17 February 2025) – 45,875 litres valued at ₦38,645,000.
The Lagos/Ogun border corridor, a strategic smuggling route due to its proximity to the Republic of Benin, has seen a major crackdown.
Between 11 January and 23 February 2025, Customs operatives intercepted: 1,132 jerrycans (25 litres each), totalling 28,300 litres of PMS and three vehicles used for smuggling operations – Toyota Camry (Chassis No. JTDAT1237101922C7), Volkswagen (Reg. No. LAGOS-AAA-928FY, Chassis No. WVW222312LE114785) and Toyota Camry (Chassis No. 4T1BG22KXXU582542).
The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures stands at N35,800,000.
A comprehensive analysis of smuggling activities in the Lagos/Ogun region has revealed emerging trends and dominant routes:
Badagry-Seme Corridor (35% of total seizures) – The most active smuggling route due to its complex network of waterways and direct access to Benin.
Imeko-Afon Axis (25%) – A growing hotspot, with key smuggling points in Oloko Afon, Obada-Idiemi, and surrounding communities.
Ilaro-Ojodan Network (22%) – Increasingly used by smugglers who employ sophisticated tactics along Ojodan Road and Yerwa North.
Owode-Ajilete Route (18%) – An emerging corridor where smugglers attempt to bypass traditional enforcement zones.
The NCS has observed a shift in smuggling methods, including:
Temporal Pattern Shifts – Increased daytime smuggling (0900-1400hrs) instead of night-time operations.
Community-Based Storage – Use of small, hidden storage facilities within border communities as transit hubs.
Vehicle Modifications – Smugglers now use vehicles with concealed compartments and falsified registration documents, including foreign-registered vehicles.
Small-Volume Movements – A shift from large single shipments to multiple smaller consignments to evade detection.
Since its inception, Operation Whirlwind has intercepted 273,670 litres of petroleum products across its three major operational zones (Adamawa/Taraba, Kwara, and Lagos), with a combined value of N273,940,000.
The success of this operation, according to the Comptroller-General, demonstrates the importance of inter-agency collaboration, with strong support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The President’s directive for proactive intelligence-led security interventions has transformed our operational approach, ensuring seamless coordination between security and regulatory agencies,” he stated.
Moving forward, the NCS will implement several strategic initiatives, including:
Deployment of advanced surveillance technology along high-risk corridors.
Establishment of additional tactical response teams with specialised training in petroleum smuggling interdiction.
Community engagement programmes to strengthen intelligence-gathering efforts.
Implementation of an intelligence-driven risk assessment framework to optimise resource allocation.
The Comptroller-General reiterated that the NCS will maintain its zero-tolerance stance against petroleum smuggling:
“Let me be clear: there will be no safe haven for smugglers. We will continue to adapt our strategies, deploy additional resources, and enforce stringent measures to ensure that petroleum products meant for domestic consumption are secured for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
He also commended the dedication of Customs officers under Operation Whirlwind, applauding their vigilance and commitment despite operational challenges and security risks.
