The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its fight against fuel smuggling, seized over 53,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Kwara State under Operation Whirlwind between January 14 and February 11, 2025. The intercepted fuel, valued at ₦53 million, was smuggled through various border routes in the state.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Kwara Command on Monday, February 17, 2025, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, described fuel smuggling as a direct threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security.
“Despite the removal of fuel subsidies, we continue to witness the exploitation of price disparities between Nigeria and neighbouring countries. This illegal trade undermines government policies, inflates fuel costs, and creates artificial scarcity,” Adeniyi stated.
Giving details of the operation, the Customs boss disclosed that intelligence-driven patrols led to several interceptions. On January 14, 94 jerry cans (2,350 litres) of PMS were seized at Gure road, valued at ₦2.35 million. On February 5, 162 jerry cans (4,050 litres) were intercepted at Kayama forest in a Nissan Pickup (MHA556FD) driven by Nafiu Salami, now under administrative bail. The consignment has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦4.05 million. On February 11, a 33,000-litre tanker truck was seized along Siya Buriya road, with a DPV of ₦33 million.
According to Adeniyi, the global fuel price difference has fueled large-scale smuggling. As of February 10, 2025, petrol sold at ₦1,184.83 per litre in Nigeria, ₦1,680.32 per litre in Benin Republic, and ₦2,030.89 per litre in Cameroon.
“The significant price gap encourages smuggling, creating a black market that robs Nigeria of critical resources. Every litre smuggled could have powered industries, supported small businesses, and facilitated transportation,” the CGC stressed.
Acknowledging the increasingly sophisticated tactics of smugglers, Adeniyi revealed that Operation Whirlwind has adopted a technology-driven approach.
“We are deploying real-time intelligence, advanced surveillance systems, and community engagement to track and disrupt smuggling networks. The era of traditional enforcement alone is over,” he stated.
The Customs boss reiterated that the NCS will sustain its crackdown nationwide, urging border communities, fuel marketers, and stakeholders to support the fight against fuel smuggling.
The NCS is working with key agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to curb smuggling activities.
Adeniyi, however, issued a strong warning to smugglers:
“Those involved in fuel smuggling should reconsider their actions, as the full weight of the law will be deployed against them.”
The Nigeria Customs Service has vowed to intensify operations and ensure that economic saboteurs are brought to justice.
