Customs: How Operation Whirlwind Disrupts Illegal Diversion, Cross-Border Smuggling of 22,175 Litres of PMS

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its Operation Whirlwind team, has disrupted the illegal diversion and cross-border smuggling of 22,175 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to neighbouring countries and subsequently auctioned the seized products to the public.

Addressing journalists at the auction exercise held on Monday, 5 October 2026, at Customs Training College Ikeja, Lagos, the National Coordinator, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Abubakar Aliyu disclosed that the seizures were made at identified smuggling flashpoints across the Lagos-Ogun axis, following credible and actionable intelligence.

Aliyu said a total of 887 jerry cans, each containing 25 litres of PMS, were intercepted during the operations, alongside five means of conveyance used in the illegal movement of the petroleum product.

He identified the flashpoints to include Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and Seme-Badagry, noting that the interceptions were part of intensified surveillance and enforcement operations aimed at preventing the diversion and cross-border movement of PMS meant for domestic consumption.

 

According to him, the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized petroleum products and the five means of conveyance stood at Thirty-Two Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Naira Only (N32,175,000).

Aliyu explained that Operation Whirlwind was established to curb the illegal movement, diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products, while protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and strengthening national energy security.

The National Coordinator said the successful interceptions demonstrated the importance of intelligence gathering and surveillance in identifying and disrupting networks involved in the illegal movement of petroleum products.

To him, the public auction was conducted in line with extant laws, regulations and approved procedures, stressing that the exercise was aimed at ensuring the transparent and accountable management of seized petroleum products.

He urged members of the public to adhere strictly to the established guidelines governing the auction to ensure that the process was conducted in a fair and orderly manner.

DC Aliyu commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the NCS Management Team for their continued support and strategic direction towards the objectives of Operation Whirlwind.

He also acknowledged the collaboration of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in supporting the operation.

The National Coordinator further commended officers and men of Operation Whirlwind Zone A, Lagos-Ogun Axis, for their diligence, professionalism and commitment to duty.

He warned persons still engaged in the illegal diversion and cross-border movement of petroleum products that Operation Whirlwind would continue to identify and disrupt smuggling networks across its operational areas.

He also appealed to residents of border communities to support the fight against smuggling by providing timely, accurate and credible information on suspicious activities.

Aliyu concluded saying the operation whirlwind would continue to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and enforcement across its operational fronts to safeguard Nigeria’s petroleum resources and protect the national economy.

Acting Commandant of the Training College Ikeja, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) PO Itah, on her part, reiterated the CGC’s resolve to zero tolerance on smuggling, stressing that the auction exercise will serve as a warning to the economic sabotuers who are bent on destroying the economy with their illicit acts.