Customs bust syndicate smuggling petrol to neighbouring countries

The Nigeria Customs Service, through its 'Operation Whirlwind,' has successfully disrupted a syndicate involved in the illegal export of petrol to neighboring countries. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives intercepted five vehicles and 20,500 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) within the Zone A axis, with a combined value estimated at N38 million.

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In addition to the seized petroleum products, five vehicles used in conveying the products were also intercepted. The combined duty-paid value of the seized PMS and the vehicles was estimated at N38m.

Deputy Controller of Customs Lucky Aliyu, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, announced that the seized products, contained in 820 jerrycans, were confiscated at key smuggling points including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, and the Seme-Badagry corridor. The operation also led to the interception of the vehicles used in transporting the contraband.

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The Service continues to uphold its constitutional mandate of safeguarding the nation’s economy, protecting vital assets and tackling all forms of smuggling and economic sabotage, adding that, recently, efforts have been significantly intensified through improved surveillance, stronger intelligence operations and more robust enforcement activities along major routes identified for the illegal diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products.

Aliyu emphasized the Customs Service's dedication to its mandate of protecting the nation's economy and tackling smuggling. He stated that intensified surveillance, intelligence gathering, and enforcement activities are ongoing. The confiscated PMS was earmarked for illegal export, contravening national laws. The seized products and vehicles were subsequently put up for public auction in Ikeja, Lagos, as part of a transparent disposal process.

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According to Aliyu, petroleum smuggling remains a serious threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security, adding that it deprives the government of critical revenue, distorts the domestic supply chain, encourages artificial scarcity, fuels criminal enterprises and undermines the gains of ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector.