The Nigeria Customs Service handed over 1,650 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, worth N40.7 million, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority at a ceremony in Ikeja, Lagos.
Comptroller‑General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, spoke with journalists at the handover event held at the Customs Training College.
The jerrycans were part of seizures made during enforcement by Operation Whirlwind, a special tactical initiative established in 2024 to combat cross‑border smuggling and protect Nigeria’s economic and energy security.
The seized Premium Motor Spirit was intercepted at various locations across Lagos State, including Badagry, Owode, and Seme routes, over the past nine weeks, Adeniyi said.
A total of 1,630 jerrycans of 25 litres each were intercepted at notorious smuggling routes such as Adodo, Seme, Owode Apa, Ajilete, Idjaun, Ilaro, Badagry, Idiroko, and Imeko axis.
Adeniyi said three tankers used to convey petroleum products were also intercepted, with capacities of 60,000, 45,000, and 49,000 litres respectively, bringing the total volume of seized PMS to 154,000 litres.
He said the interception resulted from intelligence‑driven surveillance and enforcement operations across key border communities.
He added that the transportation and movement of petroleum products are governed by a regulatory framework and standard operating procedures designed to prevent diversion, smuggling, hoarding, and economic sabotage.
Adeniyi said the seized items were found to have contravened the established procedures of Operation Whirlwind. He emphasised that such violations undermine government policy, distort market stability, and deprive the nation of revenue.
He described border corridors, including Owode, Seme, and Badagry, as sensitive economic arteries historically exploited for illegal cross‑border petroleum movement.
Adeniyi said the formal handover to the NMDPRA underscores an institutional synergy. He explained that while Customs enforces border control and anti‑smuggling mandates, the NMDPRA regulates petroleum distribution and ensures compliance with downstream laws.
Mrs Grace Dauda, representing the NMDPRA, said the authority has the responsibility to ensure that petroleum products produced in Nigeria are consumed locally.
She noted that it is unfortunate some businesses try to smuggle products out of the country and urged the public to help end economic sabotage.
