The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its anti-smuggling task force, Operations Whirlwind, has intercepted 1,577 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, with a combined duty-paid value of ₦39.4 million.
The seizure was carried out across several border hotspots in the South-West region.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs and National Coordinator of the Unit, Mr. Hussaine Ejibunu — who represented the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi — said the operation targeted illegal fuel exports through border communities such as Ilaro, Imeko, Badagry, Owode, and Ajilete.
Ejibunu explained that intelligence confirmed the seized fuel was intended for illegal export to neighboring countries. The confiscated PMS, amounting to 39,425 liters (with each jerry can containing 25 liters), was impounded along with eight vehicles used in transporting the product.
The fuel had a duty-paid value of ₦39.4 million, while the vehicles were valued at ₦24 million, bringing the total worth of seized assets to ₦63.4 million.
Reaffirming the Customs Service’s dedication to curbing smuggling activities, Ejibunu declared, “There will be no safe haven or hiding place for smugglers and economic saboteurs. We will continue to disrupt their illegal operations and reduce them to the barest minimum.”
He further announced that, on the orders of Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi, the seized fuel would be immediately auctioned.
Acknowledging the collaborative effort that led to the successful operation, Ejibunu expressed gratitude to institutional allies.
“I want to express our appreciation to our strategic partners — the Office of the Attorney General and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Lagos Zonal Office — for their unwavering support. This success would not have been possible without their collaboration,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Patrick Musa, Assistant Director at the Lagos Zonal Office of the NMDPRA, echoed the agency’s ongoing commitment to assisting the Customs in dismantling smuggling operations.
“We will continue to support the Customs until these economic saboteurs are completely dismantled,” Musa stated.
The operation marks one of the latest efforts by the NCS to disrupt the illegal distribution and cross-border movement of fuel, particularly amid ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
