By Correspondent in Lagos.
In a major crackdown on trans-border fuel smuggling, operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted 35,535 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth ₦58.36 million at notorious smuggling flashpoints across Lagos and Ogun States.
Our correspondent reports that the seizures were carried out by Operation Whirlwind, a tactical anti-smuggling unit of the Service, which stormed several fuel diversion routes in Ajilete, Ijoun, Ilaro, Badagry, Owode, Eree, and Obada Imeko—all identified as hubs for petroleum product trafficking to the Republic of Benin.
At a press briefing in Lagos, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, represented by Assistant Comptroller-General Hussein Ejibunu, described the operation as a “strategic offensive against economic saboteurs and fuel traffickers who threaten national energy security.”
According to Ejibunu, the operation, driven by actionable intelligence, led to the seizure of 1,134 jerrycans (25–30 litres) and 33 drums of petrol, all concealed for illegal export. Also recovered were six vehicles used to convey the fuel.
“These products were meticulously hidden and prepared for cross-border trafficking,” he said. “The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the intercepted fuel and vehicles stands at ₦58.36 million.”
Adeniyi stressed that the illicit fuel trade is draining government revenue and aggravating Nigeria’s fragile energy supply chain, especially during ongoing distribution challenges.
“We are dealing with highly organized criminal networks that exploit porous borders and weak surveillance. But with our renewed focus on intelligence-led enforcement, we are breaking their chains,” he added.
In another broader sweep, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, confiscated smuggled goods worth ₦1.78 billion between June 3 and July 18, including narcotics, illegally imported rice, used tyres, vehicles, and frozen poultry products.
Among the notable seizures were:
3,500 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to six trailer loads)
304 kg of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp)
7,900 litres of PMS in 316 jerrycans
54 bags and 20 bales of used clothing
41 sacks of used footwear
14 units of used vehicles (“Tokunbo”)
148 used tyres, 42 used gas cylinders, and 95 cartons of frozen poultry
Multiple air conditioning units and smuggled supermarket items
Also seized were several misdeclared shipping containers, including:
A 40-foot container (TRHU 83907321) loaded with used tyres
A 20-foot container (ONEU241369) containing undeclared medicaments
Two 40-foot containers (MSKU 4796036 and MAEU 9205708) loaded with contraband
A container truck filled with used fridges, foreign supermarket items, and second-hand clothes
Nine suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. While six were granted administrative bail, three others were transferred to appropriate security agencies for prosecution.
The seized cannabis was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and received by Deputy Commander for Assets and Finance, Nasir Bungudu.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
