The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says they have intensified efforts to curb the smuggling of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), while recording major seizures under Operation Whirlwind in Kwara State.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Kwara Command on Monday, February 17, 2025, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described fuel smuggling as a “direct threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security, while reiterating that between January 14 and February 11, 2025, the Service operatives have intercepted over 53,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of 53 million naira.
CGC Adeniyi, stated that despite the removal of fuel subsidies, Nigeria continue to witness the exploitation of price disparities between her and neighbouring countries, noting that the illegal trade not only undermines government policies but also affects ordinary Nigerians by inflating fuel costs and creating artificial scarcity.
The CGC, who explained that the Global Prices of petroleum, as of February 10, 2025, was sold at 1,184.83 naira per litre in Nigeria, compared to 1,680.32 naira per litre in Benin Republic and 2,030.89 naira per litre in Cameroon, added that the significant price difference has encouraged large-scale smuggling, creating a black-market economy that deprives Nigeria of critical resources.
The CGC said, through intelligence-driven operations and routine patrols, the Service’s operatives have successfully intercepted smuggled fuel across Gure road, Bankubu, Ilesha Baruba axis, and Kayama forest.
Giving the statistics on the seizures between January 14th to February 11th, CGC Adeniyi stated that the Service had, on 14th January seized 94 jerry cans (2,350 litres) of PMS at Gure road, valued at 2.35 million naira, on February 5th, 162 jerry cans (4,050 litres) of PMS intercepted at Kayama forest in a Nissan Pickup driven by Nafiu Salami (now under administrative bail), with a DPV of 4.05 million naira, February 11, 33,000-litre tanker truck intercepted along Siya Buriya road, valued at 33 million naira.
The NCS boss emphasized that the evolving tactics of smugglers require more than traditional enforcement approaches, noting that through Operation Whirlwind, Customs has adopted a technology-driven strategy, combining real-time intelligence, advanced surveillance systems, and strategic community engagement to track and disrupt smuggling networks.
He, however, pledged to sustain the momentum of its anti-smuggling operations nationwide, urging border communities, fuel marketers, and stakeholders to support the fight against illegal fuel trade.
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