By Chibuzor Alli
The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 22,175 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, in operations targeting the illegal movement of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders.
The seized products, which were intercepted in parts of the Zone A axis, were subsequently auctioned to members of the public as part of the service’s management of confiscated petroleum products.
The auction exercise was held at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, where the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Controller of Customs, Lucky Aliyu, said the petrol was intercepted while allegedly being prepared for smuggling to neighbouring countries.
The seizures were made at several identified flashpoints, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and Seme-Badagry.
Aliyu said the seized petroleum products and the means of conveyance used in their movement had a combined duty-paid value of N32.17m.
“In recent weeks, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, operatives of Operation Whirlwind successfully disrupted a coordinated network involved in the illegal movement and exportation of PMS to neighbouring countries.
“During these operations, a total of 887 jerrycans, each containing 25 litres of PMS, were intercepted, amounting to 22,175 litres, along with five means of conveyance,” Aliyu said.
The latest seizures underscore the continued focus of Operation Whirlwind on routes and locations identified as vulnerable to the diversion and cross-border movement of petroleum products.
Customs steps up surveillance
Aliyu said the service had expanded its enforcement efforts through increased surveillance, improved intelligence gathering and stronger operations along major routes and known smuggling flashpoints.
He said the measures were part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s statutory responsibility to protect the economy, safeguard national assets and tackle smuggling, illicit trade and economic sabotage.
The customs official also described the auction as part of efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of seized petroleum products.
According to him, the exercise was conducted in line with applicable laws, regulations and approved procedures.
He urged participants, stakeholders and members of the public to comply with the guidelines governing the auction to ensure that the process remained fair, orderly and transparent.
Customs warns petrol smugglers
The coordinator warned individuals and groups involved in the illegal diversion or cross-border movement of petrol that the anti-smuggling operation would continue to target their activities.
“We will continue to identify, intercept and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate, while ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” he warned.
He also called on residents of border communities and other members of the public to provide credible information about suspicious activities to the Customs Service and other relevant agencies.
Aliyu said public cooperation was essential to the fight against smuggling and economic sabotage, describing the responsibility as a collective one.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs and the service’s Management Team for their support and strategic direction towards achieving the objectives of Operation Whirlwind.
“I assure you that Operation Whirlwind will continue to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and enforcement operations across all its operational fronts,” Aliyu said.
Operation Whirlwind is a targeted anti-smuggling initiative focused on preventing the illegal movement, diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products.
The operation also seeks to protect Nigeria’s economic interests and energy security by preventing petroleum products intended for domestic consumption from being unlawfully moved across the country’s borders.
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