Customs declare war on smugglers, target fuel smuggling across borders

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has declared a total war on smugglers, branding them as “enemies of Nigeria’s development.”

Adeniyi’s strong stance was conveyed during an update on Operation Whirlwind, a strategic initiative designed to curb the illegal smuggling of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders.

Speaking on behalf of Adeniyi in Yola, Deputy Comptroller-General of Enforcement, Investigations, and Inspections, Olaniyi Olajogun, revealed that two filling stations in Adamawa—Oilpad Global Services Limited and Gawi Oil Nigeria Limited—had been fined by a court for their involvement in smuggling activities.

The Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized from these stations was auctioned to the public at ₦630 per litre.

“Operation Whirlwind, launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), continues to record significant successes in stopping the illegal exportation of petroleum products,” Olajogun announced, further noting the substantial seizures made since the operation’s inception.

During his address, Olajogun pointed out that the Customs anti-smuggling operation had confiscated 94,550 litres of PMS, valued at ₦75.45 million, during its latest crackdown

This included two trucks loaded with 33,000 litres of PMS each, 1,046 jerricans with 25 litres capacity, and 12 drums containing 200 litres of PMS.

One suspect was arrested in connection with these smuggling attempts and is currently in custody in Abuja.

Adeniyi previously announced the seizure of 150,950 litres of PMS worth ₦105.96 million during the operation’s initial phase.

He added that since then, the efforts have intensified, with Customs officers working in coordination with other security agencies to combat smuggling.

Comptroller Kehinde Ejibune, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Comptroller-General.

He stated that the collaboration between Customs and other security agencies is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economy and reducing poverty by shutting down smuggling operations.