The Operation Whirlwind of Zone ‘D’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 64,410 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth ₦93,029,800.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Ali Aliyu, who represented the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at a press conference detailing the anti-smuggling campaign along Nigeria’s frontiers.
Aliyu said the operations align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to safeguard food, energy, and national security.
Between early March and mid-April, operatives recorded 47 separate seizures at different dates, times, and locations. The raids targeted known smuggling corridors including the Mubi–Sahuda axis, Farang–Belel, Gurin–Fufore axis, Maiha, Muva, and Pariya.
The haul included 2,550 jerrycans of 25 litres each and three drums of 220 litres each , totaling 64,410 litres of PMS allegedly bound for illegal export. Officers also impounded two used vehicles that served as means of conveyance.
Aliyu said the seizures were made under Sections 150, 248, and 250 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, with patrols conducted under Section 226 of the same Act.
Deregulation, Aliyu stressed, does not mean the government has abandoned market stability or the fight against illicit export. Petrol prices in neighbouring countries remain far higher than in Nigeria, despite domestic increases.
As of Friday, PMS sells for an average of 840 XAF (₦2,196) per litre in Cameroon and 695 CFA (₦1,709) in Benin Republic, compared with ₦1,330 in Nigeria. That gap means a smuggler moving 60,000 litres across the border could gross about ₦51.96 million in price arbitrage alone.
“These structurally entrenched cartels maintain comprehensive situational awareness, use diversified transit methods, and are driven by lucrative illegal profits. They are prepared to do whatever it takes to maintain their hold.”
Aliyu said Operation Whirlwind has reviewed and strengthened measures to combat the trade head-on. “Let me state unequivocally: we will counter every move the smugglers think of. We will not relent in this anti-smuggling crusade until we bring smuggling activities to ground zero in Adamawa and in Nigeria, where smugglers will not have fresh air.”
The seized 64,410 litres of PMS will be auctioned to the public immediately after the press conference, in line with the NCS Act, 2023. Proceeds will be remitted to the Federation Account.
“We do not only seize this product, but we have succeeded in recovering our national assets which could have been used to fuel insecurity,” Aliyu added.
The coordinator thanked Adeniyi and Customs management for resources and support, the Office of the National Security Adviser under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for backing security operations, and the NMDPRA for technical and regulatory input. He also credited the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command under Comptroller MA Tako, Customs Intelligence Unit, North-Eastern Marine, Federal Operations Unit, SIS, Valuation, ICT, other security agencies, community leaders, and stakeholders for networked intelligence that led to the seizures.
Aliyu urged citizens to report suspicious activity promptly. “If you see something, say something without delay.”
He asked the media to continue educating the public on how smuggling undermines the economy and security.
“Together, we can combat smuggling and promote the economic growth we are yearning for,” he said.
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