The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has formally handed over three seized fuel tankers, containing over 159,000 litres of petrol, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for prosecution. The handover, conducted in Lagos on Friday, marks a significant seizure in the ongoing national campaign against fuel smuggling.
The tankers, intercepted along key smuggling corridors including Aso-Odo, Seme, Owode-Apa, and Badagry, were seized under Operation Whirlwind, a specialised NCS initiative targeting economic sabotage. Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, described the operation as intelligence-driven and reflective of an “uncompromising resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s economic and energy security.” The tankers, with registration numbers T21019LA, T9827LA and T3546LA, will face appropriate regulatory sanctions.
In a related move, the NCS also announced the impending public auction of 1,630 jerry-cans of petrol intercepted during the operation. The total Duty Paid Value of these consignments is approximately N40.75 million, with the auction intended to ensure transparency and accountability in the disposal process.
Aliyu emphasised that Operation Whirlwind specifically targets the illegal diversion of petroleum products, which he stated undermines government policy, distorts market stability, and deprives the nation of critical revenue. He identified the Owode-Apa, Seme, and Badagry border corridors as historically sensitive routes exploited for cross-border smuggling. “Under my watch, smuggling will no longer be safe for economic saboteurs,” Aliyu warned, stressing that strict compliance with petroleum transport regulations is non-negotiable.
The officer credited the success to strong inter-agency collaboration, particularly with the NMDPRA, within established operational frameworks. He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his leadership in supporting anti-smuggling operations, and urged public cooperation to bolster national development.
Receiving the vessels, Mrs Grace Dauda of NMDPRA reaffirmed her agency’s mandate to prevent the diversion of domestically intended petroleum products. She described the attempt to smuggle fuel out of the country as regrettable and urged citizens to collaborate with government agencies to end such economic sabotage.
The seizure and subsequent handover underscore the persistent challenge of fuel diversion in Nigeria and the government’s intensified efforts to protect domestic supply and revenue through coordinated enforcement.
