Skip to main content

Customs Operation Whirlwind Intercepts 41,250 Liters Of PMS

By Anne Ejuka

...Hands Over 3 Seized Tankers To NMDPRA

‎

‎


The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 1,650 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, valued at N40.7 million and also handed over three Seized petrol tankers to Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

‎

‎Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abubakar Aliyu, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the seized PMS totalling 41,250 litres was intercepted in the last few weeks at notorious smuggling corridors, including Owode-Apa, Seme Border, Badagry and other flashpoints in Lagos State .

‎


‎“In the space of nine weeks, our operatives intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across critical border communities. As a result, 1,630 jerry cans of 25 litres each were intercepted across routes such as Adodo, Seme, Oode Apa, Ajilete, Idjaun, Ilaro, Badagry, Idiroko and Imeko axis. The total duty paid value of the PMS is N40.7 million,” he said.

‎

‎The Coordinator further revealed that three tankers used as means of conveyance were also impounded. The trucks were carrying 60,000 litres, 45,000 litres and 49,000 litres respectively bringing the total volume of intercepted fuel in the tankers to 154,000 litres.

‎

‎He also noted that the seizures were intelligence-driven and part of the ongoing enforcement efforts under Operation Whirlwind, a special anti-smuggling initiative launched in 2024 to combat cross-border diversion and smuggling of petroleum products.

‎

‎Speaking further, DC Aliyu emphasized that movement and transportation of petroleum products are governed by established regulatory frameworks designed to prevent diversion, hoarding and economic sabotage, adding ”the seized products violated the Standard Operating Procedures, (SOP)  guiding petroleum distribution around the board areas”m I.

‎

‎


While handing over the seized petroleum products and fuel tankers formally to NMDPRA, Aliyu said the handover underscores institutional synergy and Agencies collaboration, explaining that while the Customs Service enforces border control and anti-smuggling laws, NMDPRA regulates distribution and ensures compliance with downstream petroleum regulations.

‎

‎DC Aliyu commended the CGC for his untiring support, the efforts of the NMDPRA, the office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, and the press.

‎

‎He also appealed to the public to cooperate with their operation noting that economic security is a collective responsibility. "If you see something suspicious, say something".  National development thrives when citizens and enforcement agencies work hand in hand”, he said.

‎

‎A representative of NMDPRA, Mrs Grace Dauda, in her remarks restated the mandate of her agency which is to ensure petroleum products meant for domestic consumption remains in the country.

‎“It is unfortunate that some businessmen attempt to smuggle these products out of the country. We urge the public to collaborate with authorities to put an end to this economic sabotage” she stated.

‎

‎

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Extortion, Harassment by Maritime Police at Lagos Ports

By Anne Ejuka
The 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over alleged unlawful conduct, extortion, intimidation, harassment and obstruction of trade by officers of the Maritime Police Command operating around Nigerian seaports. The petition, dated August 14, 2026 and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police at Force Headquarters, Abuja, specifically identified the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa; Tin-Can Island Port and other designated port locations, including bonded terminals, as areas where the alleged misconduct is taking place. In the petition, which was signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, the National Coordinator of 100% Compliance Team, NAGAFF described the situation as a growing impediment to trade facilitation and a factor contributing to the rising cost of doing business in Nigeria. According to the association, freight forwarding practitioners have, over a sustained period, repo...
Post a Comment
Read more

NCS Medical Team Trains Apapa Area Command Officers On First Aid

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) medical team yesterday trained officers and men of the Apapa Area Command on basic first aid training. ‎ ‎The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba according to a press release issued by the public relations officer of the command, Superintendent of Customs SC JT Ayagbalo described the initiative as a crucial investment in workplace safety and operational readiness. ‎ ‎In his welcome address, Comptroller Oshoba emphasized that the programme reflects the priority placed on staff welfare by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. ‎ ‎He described first aid knowledge as a universal life skill that every adult should possess, especially officers as they are frequently exposed to high-risk operational environments. ‎ ‎ Oshoba noted that simple but timely interventions such as; CPR, bleeding control, choking relief and stroke recognition often determine whether a victim survives, fully recov...
Post a Comment
Read more

NCS Seizes 13 Containers of Unwholesome Imports

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command has intercepted 13 containers with over 7.6 tonnes of cannabis sativa, 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup, security-sensitive drones and large quantities of expired consumer and pharmaceutical products. The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Apapa Area Command in the presence of the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba and heads of other sister agencies earlier today, 10th September, 2026,  according to CGC, the seized consignments have a combined duty-paid value of ₦43.59 billion. He said the seizures were made as a result of sustained intelligence-led operations supported by enhanced cargo profiling, risk assessment, documentary scrutiny and targeted physical examination. "The containers behind me are not an isolated event and they should not be reported as one;  the Service’s mandate extends beyond revenue c...
Post a Comment
Read more