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Operation Whirlwind, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) anti-petroleum smuggling initiative, has intensified its crackdown on illegal diversion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), intercepting 20,500 litres of petrol valued alongside five vehicles at about N38 million.
National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, disclosed this during the public auction of the seized petroleum products in Lagos, on Monday.
DC Aliyu said the consignments were intercepted through intelligence-driven operations across major smuggling flashpoints, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and Seme-Badagry corridors.
The seizures comprised 820 jerry-cans of PMS, each containing 25 litres, allegedly being prepared for illegal export to neighbouring countries in violation of Nigeria’s petroleum distribution regulations.
Aliyu said the public auction was conducted in line with legal provisions to return the seized products into the legitimate domestic supply chain while ensuring transparency and accountability.
He warned petroleum smugglers that Operation Whirlwind would continue to deploy surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement operations to dismantle criminal networks threatening Nigeria’s energy security and government revenue.
“Petroleum smuggling undermines economic stability, distorts supply chains and fuels criminal activities. We remain committed to identifying, intercepting and dismantling all networks involved in the illegal diversion of petroleum products.
“Let this exercise serve as a clear warning to all individuals and criminal syndicates involved in the illegal diversion and smuggling of petroleum products. Operation Whirlwind remains intelligence-driven, proactive, and uncompromising in its resolve,” he said.
Operation Whirlwind, established as a national strategy to combat petroleum smuggling, has continued to collaborate with relevant agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to strengthen enforcement and protect national economic interests.
