Customs Blocks N238 Million Petrol Smuggling Operation

Approximately ₦238.1 million worth of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as gasoline, totaling 245,370 liters was successfully intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
As part of Operation Whirlwind’s ongoing anti-smuggling campaign, Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi revealed that these seizures took place in less than three months.
Adeniyi also highlighted recent successful interceptions that the operation at the Federal Operations Unit in Ikeja has been conducting.

He pointed out that the main reason why gasoline is smuggled over Nigeria’s borders is because of the stark pricing discrepancies, which encourage smugglers to divert petroleum to nearby nations where they can make more money.
He went on to explain that Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and national interests are significantly threatened by this illegal trade, which is primarily driven by significant pricing differences across regional boundaries, resulting in a highly lucrative black market. This is according to Customs’ economic intelligence.

Adeniyi also went into detail about the significant interceptions made during Operation Whirlwind, including:

28,300 liters of gasoline were seized along major smuggling routes in Lagos and Ogun between January 11 and February 23, 2025. According to the Customs chief, the fuel smuggling industry is a deliberate effort to weaken Nigeria’s economic underpinnings.

“Even though the government has done extensive supply chain improvements and market reforms to stabilize the domestic petroleum industry, these criminal elements are still determined to take advantage of regional economic disparities for illegal profit,” Adeniyi said.

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The illegal trade’s criminal networks are always improving their smuggling methods to avoid detection by the authorities, he continued.

“Despite the government’s extensive market reforms and supply chain improvements aimed at stabilizing the domestic petroleum industry, criminal organizations are nevertheless committed to taking advantage of regional economic differences for illegal gain.

“These dishonest actors have demonstrated incredible flexibility, continuously improving their strategies to get around our enforcement actions.

“We are seeing a systematic attempt to weaken Nigeria’s economic foundations by diverting vital national resources, not just regular customs violations,” he stated.

Hussein Ejibuno, Assistant Comptroller-General and Leader of Operations Whirlwind, and his team were commended by Adeniyi for their commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy and national security.

Three fuel-smuggling-related vehicles were seized by Customs agents during recent operations, and two individuals were detained and are currently being prosecuted.

Ejibuno thanked Customs administration for their assistance and reaffirmed his team’s commitment to fighting smuggling networks.