The Operation Whirlwind unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on Monday announced the seizure of 273,670 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth N274 million in the last three months.
Addressing the media in Lagos, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, explained that 28,300 litres out of the total seized figure of PMS was seized in the last two weeks.
According to Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, “As you may recall, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), established a special operation codenamed ‘Whirlwind’ in collaboration with the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
“This strategic partnership has significantly intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across critical border corridors nationwide.
“In less than three months, Operation Whirlwind has yielded remarkable results with cumulative seizures of 245,370 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at NGN 238,140,000—and importantly, these figures exclude today’s report and seizures made through regular command structures and Federal Operations Units.
“I have previously presented these operational successes in Adamawa State on January 30, 2025, where our officers intercepted 199,495 litres valued at NGN 199,495,000, and in Kwara State on February 17, 2025, with additional seizures of 45,875 litres worth NGN 38,645,000.
“The steady momentum of Operation Whirlwind is further demonstrated by the commendable performance recorded in Zone ‘A’, covering the Lagos/Ogun axis.
“Today, I am pleased to present our latest operational achievements in this critical zone, which serves as both our nation’s commercial nerve centre and a high-risk corridor for cross-border smuggling activities due to its strategic location along our western frontier with the Republic of Benin.
“Following intelligence-driven operations between January 11 and February 23, 2025, our vigilant officers under Operation Whirlwind have successfully intercepted and seized a total of 28,300 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being diverted through various concealment methods and smuggling techniques.
“The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures amounts to ₦35,800,000. These tactical operations yielded the following seizures: 1,132 jerry cans of 25 litres each, totalling 28,300 litres;
Three vehicles used as means of conveyance, including:
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One Toyota Camry with Chassis No. JTDAT1237101922C7.
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One Volkswagen with Registration No. LAGOS-AAA-928FY and Chassis No. WVW222312LE114785.
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One Toyota Camry with Chassis No. 4T1BG22KXXU582542.
“Our comprehensive analysis of the pattern of seizures across the Lagos/Ogun axis reveals significant insights into the dynamic smuggling tactics and dominant routes being exploited by these economic saboteurs. The seizures were strategically executed at identified smuggling corridors, including:
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Badagry-Seme Corridor: Accounting for approximately 35 percent of total seizures, this remains the primary smuggling route with multiple interceptions recorded along Badagry-Seme Road and Badagry waterside. The proximity to the Republic of Benin and the complex network of waterways in this area continue to make it a preferred route for smugglers.
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Imeko-Afan Axis: Emerging as a significant secondary corridor with about 25 percent of total seizures, this area has seen increased smuggling activities, particularly at Oloko Afan, Obada-idieimi, and other remote communities within Imeko-Afan in Ogun State.
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Ilaro-Ojodan Network: Contributing approximately 22 percent of intercepted products, this network has become increasingly active with sophisticated smuggling attempts through Ojodan Road and Yerwa North areas.
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Owode-Ajilete Route: Responsible for about 18 percent of seizures, this route represents another emerging corridor being exploited by smugglers attempting to circumvent our traditional enforcement positions.
“The operational data reveals several emergent trends in smuggling tactics that warrant particular attention:
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Temporal Pattern Shifts: Unlike previous periods where night-time smuggling dominated, we now observe increased attempts during daylight hours, particularly between 0900hrs and 1400hrs, suggesting a tactical adaptation to our night-time enforcement operations.
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Community-Based Storage: The establishment of small, distributed storage facilities within border communities, serving as transit points for onward movement across the border.
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Vehicle Modifications: The use of specially modified vehicles with concealed compartments and falsified registration documentation, including vehicles registered in neighbouring countries, highlighting the transnational nature of these smuggling networks.
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Multiple Small-Volume Movements: A shift from large-volume single shipments to multiple small-volume movements using smaller containers, strategically timed to coincide with periods of reduced enforcement visibility.
“The cumulative impact of Operation Whirlwind since its inception is substantial. Across the three operational zones where I have presented reports this year—Adamawa/Taraba Command, Kwara Command, and now Lagos Zone ‘A’—we have successfully intercepted a total of 273,670 litres of petroleum products with a combined value of ₦273,940,000.
“These figures represent not just statistical achievements but tangible protection of our national economy and energy security.
“Let me reemphasise that the successful implementation of Operation Whirlwind highlights the critical importance of strategic inter-agency collaboration.”
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