The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Friday handed over 1,650 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, worth N40.7m to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for onward investigation.

Addressing journalists during the handover ceremony at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Adeniyi added that the seized contraband was intercepted at various locations between Badagry, Owode, Seme, and other axes within Lagos State.

Adeniyi, who was represented at the event by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Abubakar Aliyu, a Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, stressed that the contraband was intercepted within the last nine weeks.

“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.

He also added that the three tankers intercepted as means of conveyance were carrying 60,000, 45,000, and 49,000 litres respectively, amounting to 154,000 litres of PMS.

According to him, the interception was not accidental; it was the outcome of intelligence-driven operations and the vigilant and uncompromising resolve of Operation Whirlwind in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and energy security.

He explained that the transportation and movement of petroleum products are governed by a clearly defined regulatory framework and standard operating procedures established to prevent diversion, smuggling, hoarding, and economic sabotage.

“These items in question were found to have contravened the established Standard Operating Procedures of Operation Whirlwind.”

Adeniyi emphasised that such violations undermine government policy, distort market stability, and deprive the nation of critical revenue.

He maintained that the border corridors of Owode, Seme, and Badagry remain sensitive economic arteries. “These routes have historically been exploited for illegal cross-border petroleum movement. However, let it be clearly stated: under our watch, there will be no safe haven for economic sabotage,” he warned.

The CGC mentioned that in accordance with the service’s operational mandate and pursuant to the established inter-agency collaboration framework, “we are formally handing over to NMDPRA. This action underscores institutional synergy.”

He added that while the service 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 concluded.

Earlier, the representative of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Mrs Grace Dauda, said that the agency has the responsibility to ensure that petroleum products produced in the country are consumed locally.

“It is unfortunate that some businessmen try to smuggle the product out of the country,” Dauda said.

She urged the general public to work together to ensure that economic sabotage stops.

Operation Whirlwind is a special tactical enforcement operation launched by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2024 to crack down on cross-border smuggling of petroleum products, especially PMS, and other contraband that undermine Nigeria’s economic security and lawful trade. It was established in response to a surge in illegal fuel diversion across Nigeria’s borders.