Customs bust fuel smuggling ring, seize 43,750 litres on Niger–Kwara routes

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its crackdown on petroleum smuggling, as the Niger/Kwara axis of Operation Whirlwind announced the interception and auction of 43,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized across key border flashpoints in Kwara State.

Speaking at the public auction held on Wednesday at the Kwara Area Command in Ilorin, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Aliyu, said the exercise was carried out in line with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

He said the operation reflects the Service’s renewed commitment to protecting Nigeria’s petroleum resources from diversion and illegal cross-border trade.

“This operation, executed with precision and intelligence support, led to the interception of 1,510 jerrycans of 25 litres each and 30 drums of 200 litres each, amounting to 43,750 litres of PMS,” Aliyu said.

He disclosed that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized products was estimated at ₦43.75 million, adding that the interceptions were recorded across several flashpoints, including Kaiama axis, Shiya, Kenu, Boriya, Luma, Bokuru in Baruten, as well as Ilesha-Baruba, Taberu, and Salla-Gwanara.

Aliyu described petroleum smuggling as a serious threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security.

 

“Petroleum smuggling is economic sabotage. It drains national revenue, distorts supply, fuels scarcity, and strengthens criminal networks operating across our borders,” he warned.

 

He attributed the success of the operation to coordinated intelligence sharing and collaboration with security stakeholders, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as well as the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

 

“We must commend the Office of the National Security Adviser for its strategic intelligence coordination, as well as NMDPRA for its regulatory support, which has strengthened our operations,” he added.

 

Aliyu also commended the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, describing his direction as pivotal to the achievements of Operation Whirlwind.

 

“The leadership of the Comptroller-General has been forward-thinking and result-oriented. His support has positioned Operation Whirlwind to achieve measurable impact,” he said.

 

Reaffirming the Service’s resolve, he warned smugglers operating in border communities that the era of illegal petroleum trade was over.

 

“The era of impunity has come to an end. We will continue to identify, intercept and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate,” he declared.

 

He added that the auctioning process demonstrated the Service’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of seized petroleum products.

 

“All stakeholders are expected to comply with established procedures. This exercise reflects our commitment to openness and due process,” he said.

 

Also speaking, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kwara Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, commended the operation, describing it as a product of strong inter-agency synergy and intelligence sharing.

 

“I commend our sister agencies, stakeholders, and the press for their continued support. The success recorded by Operation Whirlwind reflects discipline, professionalism, and collaboration,” he said.

 

Ogundeyi called for sustained cooperation among security agencies and stakeholders to further strengthen the fight against smuggling.

 

“I urge all sister agencies and relevant stakeholders to continue supporting the Service with synergy, intelligence sharing, and collaboration in the interest of national development,” he added.

 

The Nigeria Customs Service reiterated that Operation Whirlwind will continue to intensify surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering, and expand enforcement across Nigeria’s border corridors, particularly in the Niger and Kwara operational axis.

Officials said the ongoing crackdown is aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s petroleum resources, stabilising domestic supply, and curbing the activities of economic saboteurs operating through illicit cross-border networks.