Operation Whirlwind intercepts 1,650 jerrycans and three tankers across Lagos border corridors in nine-week crackdown……
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, on Friday handed over 1,650 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, valued at N40.7 million, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further investigation.
The handover ceremony took place at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos, where Adeniyi, represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind and Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Abubakar Aliyu—said the products were intercepted across multiple border communities in Lagos State over the last nine weeks.
According to him, operatives intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across key smuggling corridors between Badagry, Owode, Seme and other flashpoints, leading to a string of coordinated seizures.
“In the space of nine weeks, our operatives relentlessly intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across critical border communities. As a result, a total of 1,630 jerrycans of 25 litres each were intercepted across notorious smuggling routes, including Adodo, Seme, Oode Apa, Ajilete, Idjaun, Ilaro, Badagry, Idiroko, and Imeko axis. The total duty paid value of the PMS is N40.7m,” Adeniyi said.
Beyond the jerrycans, the Customs boss disclosed that three tankers used as means of conveyance were also intercepted. The trucks were found to be carrying 60,000 litres, 45,000 litres and 49,000 litres of PMS respectively—amounting to 154,000 litres in total.
He stressed that the seizures were not accidental but the result of intelligence-driven operations under Operation Whirlwind, a special tactical enforcement initiative launched in 2024 to curb cross-border smuggling of petroleum products and other contraband.
Adeniyi explained that the movement and transportation of petroleum products are governed by strict regulatory frameworks and standard operating procedures designed to prevent diversion, hoarding and economic sabotage.
“These items in question were found to have contravened the established Standard Operating Procedures of Operation Whirlwind,” he stated.
He warned that violations of these protocols undermine government policy, distort market stability and deprive the country of much-needed revenue. The border corridors of Owode, Seme and Badagry, he noted, remain sensitive economic arteries that have historically been exploited for illegal cross-border fuel movement.
“Under our watch, there will be no safe haven for economic sabotage,” he declared.
In line with inter-agency collaboration protocols, Adeniyi said the seized products were being formally transferred to the NMDPRA to ensure due process and regulatory compliance.
“While Customs enforces border control and anti-smuggling mandates, NMDPRA regulates distribution and ensures compliance with downstream state laws. This collaboration will ensure due process, transparency, and regulatory integrity,” he added.
Speaking at the event, Grace Dauda, who represented the NMDPRA, reiterated the agency’s responsibility to ensure that petroleum products produced in Nigeria are consumed locally.
“It is unfortunate that some businessmen try to smuggle the product out of the country,” she said, urging members of the public to support efforts aimed at ending economic sabotage.
Operation Whirlwind was established in response to a surge in illegal fuel diversion across Nigeria’s borders, as authorities moved to tighten enforcement and safeguard the country’s energy security and lawful trade channels.
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