The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over three fuel tankers containing more than 159,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The handover was conducted on Friday in Lagos by the Deputy Comptroller and National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Abubakar Aliyu, who described the seizure as a significant milestone in efforts to combat fuel smuggling.
According to Aliyu, the tankers — bearing registration numbers T21019LA, T9827LA and T3546LA — were intercepted along key smuggling corridors, including Aso-Odo, Seme, Owode-Apa and Badagry.
He added that 1,630 jerry-cans of petrol seized during the operation would be auctioned to the public in the interest of transparency and accountability. The total Duty Paid Value of the jerry-cans was estimated at N40.75 million.
Aliyu said the operation was intelligence-driven and underscored Customs’ commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic and energy security. He warned that petroleum smuggling undermines government policy, distorts market stability and deprives the country of vital revenue.
Describing border areas such as Owode-Apa, Seme and Badagry as historically vulnerable to cross-border smuggling, Aliyu stressed that enforcement efforts would be intensified.
In her remarks, Grace Dauda of the NMDPRA reaffirmed the agency’s mandate to prevent the diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption. She urged members of the public to cooperate with authorities in curbing economic sabotage.
The agencies said the handover reflects strengthened inter-agency collaboration in tackling illicit petroleum trade.