Customs’ Operation Whirlwind seizes PMS worth N273.9m in three months

….Badagry- Seme top smuggling route in Lagos – Adeniyi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Operation Whirlwind on Monday announced that it has intercepted a total of 273,670 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N273,940,000 in the last three months.

Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi who disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja Lagos, said the PMS were intercepted across three operational zones- Adamawa/Taraba command, Kwara command and Lagos Zone ‘A’ accounting for 28,300 litres of the total seizures.

He said the seizures within the Lagos/ Ogun axis, were strategically executed at key smuggling corridors, including the Badagry-Seme Corridor, Imeko-Afan Axis, Ilaro-Ojodan Network, and the Owode-Ajilete Route.

According to Adeniyi, the Badagry-Seme corridor  remains the primary smuggling route accounting for approximately 35 percent of total seizures, followed by Imeko-Afon axis in Ogun State with about 25 per cent of total seizures while Ilaro-Ojodan contributes 22 per cent, and the Owode-Ajilete route responsible for 18 per cent.

Adeniyi said the analysis of seizure patterns revealed evolving smuggling tactics, including daylight operations, community-based storage, vehicle modifications, and multiple small-volume movements.

He said, “In less than three months, Operation Whirlwind has yielded remarkable results with cumulative seizures of 245,370 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at NGN 238,140,000—and importantly, these figures exclude today’s report and seizures made through regular command structures and Federal Operations Units. I have previously presented these operational successes in Adamawa State on January 30, 2025, where our officers intercepted 199,495 liters valued at NGN 199,495,000, and in Kwara State on February 17, 2025, with additional seizures of 45,875 liters worth NGN 38,645,000.

“The steady momentum of Operation Whirlwind is further demonstrated by the commendable performance recorded in Zone “A”, covering the Lagos/Ogun axis. Today, I am pleased to present our latest operational achievements in this critical zone, which serves as both our nation’s commercial nerve center and a high-risk corridor for cross-border smuggling activities due to its strategic location along our western frontier with the Republic of Benin.

“Following intelligence-driven operations between January 11 and February 23, 2025, our vigilant officers under the Operation whirlwind, have successfully intercepted and seized a total of 28,300 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being diverted through various concealment methods and smuggling techniques.

“The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures amounts to N35,800,000 These tactical operations yielded the following seizures:1,132) Jerry Cans of 25 liters each, totaling 28,300 liters and three vehicles used as means of conveyance.

“These figures represent not just statistical achievements but tangible protection of our national economy and energy security.”

Adeniyi attributed the operation’s success to strategic inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing with the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as well as coordinated enforcement actions, championed by the National Security Adviser.

He said plans are uderway to expand the collaboration to include the Nigerian Navy for enhanced maritime domain awareness, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps for critical infrastructure protection, and border communities for improved intelligence gathering.

Adeniyi also announced that the Service will implement strategic initiatives in the upcoming weeks to sustain the operation’s success.

The initiatives, according to him include the deployment of advanced surveillance technology along identified high- risk corridors, the establishment of additional tactical response team with specialized training in petroleum products interdiction, enhanced community engagement programs, and an intelligence-driven risk assessment framework to optimize resource allocation.

“Let me be clear: there will be no safe haven for smugglers in our operational areas. We shall maintain this momentum and continue to adapt our strategies to counter the dynamic tactics of these economic saboteurs.

“We will deploy additional resources and adopt even more stringent measures to ensure that petroleum products meant for domestic consumption are secured for the benefit of all Nigerians, ” he said.