Lagos: The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has announced that Operation Whirlwind intercepted 245,370 litres of petrol, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN238.1 million, in less than three months. Adeniyi disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos, following recent petroleum product seizures by Operation Whirlwind at the Federal Operations Unit in Ikeja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adeniyi highlighted the significant achievements of Operation Whirlwind, which in less than three months resulted in the seizure of 245,370 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) valued at NGN238,140,000. He emphasized the NCS’s ongoing commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and ensuring the benefits of government policies reach all citizens. Adeniyi praised the efforts of the Leader of Operations Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Hussein Ejibuno, and his team for their role in safeguarding the economy and national security.
Adeniyi noted that every litre of petroleum product smuggled across borders constitutes a revenue loss and contributes to domestic scarcity, market instability, and compromised energy security for citizens. He pointed out that substantial price disparities across regional borders are the main drivers of this illicit trade, which fuels a lucrative black market that undermines Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and national interests. The figures reported do not include recent seizures made through regular command structures and Federal Operations Units.
Adeniyi also shared previous operational successes, including the interception of 199,495 litres of petrol in Adamawa State on Jan. 30 and additional seizures of 45,875 litres in Kwara on Feb. 17, 2025. He underscored the continued success of Operation Whirlwind, particularly in Zone ‘A’, which covers the Lagos and Ogun axis. This zone is a strategic location and a high-risk corridor for cross-border smuggling due to its proximity to the Republic of Benin.
Between Jan. 11 and Feb. 23, intelligence-driven operations led to the interception of 28,300 litres of PMS being diverted through various smuggling methods. Adeniyi stated that the NCS faces a national challenge that threatens economic sovereignty and energy security due to the persistent smuggling of petroleum products. Despite government efforts to stabilize the domestic petroleum sector, criminal networks continue to exploit regional economic disparities for illicit profit.
Adeniyi emphasized that these activities are not just routine customs violations but systematic attempts to undermine Nigeria’s economic foundations by diverting strategic national resources. The success of Operation Whirlwind underscores the importance of strategic inter-agency collaboration in addressing complex national security challenges.
ACG Hussein Ejibuno, Head of Operations Whirlwind, commended the support from the Comptroller-General of Customs and the management, which enabled his team to achieve significant operational success. Ejibuno reported that his team also seized three vehicles used for smuggling and arrested two suspects who are currently facing trial.