The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a large consignment of petrol valued at N80.4 million, reportedly on its way to be smuggled into the Republic of Benin. The seizure was made by a special Customs task force, Operation Whirlwind, during operations carried out over the past seven weeks in Lagos and Ogun States.
Speaking during a press briefing in Ikeja on Tuesday, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Kola Oladeji, said 1,980 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, were recovered. The seized quantity amounts to 49,500 litres of fuel.
The fuel, packed in jerrycans, was intercepted at several smuggling hotspots in border communities, including Ajilete, Ijoun, Haro, Badagry, Owode Idiroko, Eree Ado-Odo, and Obada Imeko.
“These areas are well-known smuggling corridors,” Oladeji explained. “Our operatives acted on credible intelligence and successfully intercepted the products at multiple flashpoints. Seven vehicles used to convey the petrol were also seized. The total duty-paid value of the fuel and vehicles is estimated at N80.4 million.”
He added that the interception was part of broader efforts to combat the illegal export of petroleum products and protect Nigeria’s economy.
Following the initial seizure, Customs operatives conducted further investigations which led them to a petrol station located along Owode-Apa Road in Badagry. There, they discovered irregularities in the handling and storage of petroleum products. As a result, the station was sealed off to prevent further illegal activities and to ensure public safety.
“During a sweep around the sealed petrol station, our operatives apprehended a man exhibiting suspicious behaviour,” Oladeji said. “He was not arrested inside the station, but nearby during the perimeter security check. After eight hours in custody, and after proper representation by his lawyer, he was granted administrative bail, pending further investigation.”
The Customs ACG stressed that Operation Whirlwind is a joint effort aimed at preventing the illegal diversion of petroleum products, supporting transparency in the downstream sector, and protecting national resources.
“We’re working closely with key agencies like the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA),” he said.
Oladeji further warned that the smuggling of fuel has serious consequences for the country. “It deprives the government of much-needed revenue, causes artificial fuel scarcity, and destabilizes prices. All of these hurt the Nigerian people,” he noted.
He called on citizens to support Customs in the fight against fuel smuggling by reporting suspicious activities. “No agency can win this war alone,” he said. “Public cooperation and actionable intelligence are key to dismantling these smuggling networks.”
Operation Whirlwind was set up to support the Federal Government’s reforms in the oil and gas sector. Since fuel subsidy was removed in 2023, the smuggling of petrol across Nigeria’s borders has become a more pressing issue. Subsidised fuel, once sold cheaply within Nigeria, is now sold at market rates, leading smugglers to take advantage of price differences across borders.
Fuel prices in neighbouring countries like the Republic of Benin are often higher, making petrol smuggling a lucrative but illegal business. The NCS has since increased surveillance and enforcement efforts across border communities, especially in the Southwest.
ACG Oladeji reaffirmed the commitment of Customs to curbing the menace. “We will continue to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, expand our operations, and raise public awareness on the dangers of smuggling,” he said.
The seizure, he concluded, is not just a win for Customs but a victory for all Nigerians. “This is about protecting our economy, ensuring fuel availability at home, and holding economic saboteurs accountable,” he said.
