Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has intensified its clampdown on petroleum product smuggling, as part of sweeping enforcement operations aimed at protecting the nation’s economy from black-market fuel syndicates.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General Hussein Ejibunu, revealed that Customs operatives intercepted 7,900 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, being smuggled in jerrycans across Nigeria’s southwestern borders.
Ejibunu briefing newsmen in Lagos said, “These criminal activities are not just economic sabotage; they threaten our national energy security. Smuggling of PMS continues to undermine the government’s reform efforts in the downstream petroleum sector.”
The seizure formed part of a total of 102 anti-smuggling operations carried out between June 3 and July 18, 2025, across the South-West zone by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ and Operation Whirlwind.
The seized goods, ranging from petroleum products to rice, cannabis, and second-hand vehicles, had a combined Duty Paid Value of N1.78 billion.
Other notable seizures included 3,500 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 304kg of Cannabis Sativa, 95 cartons of frozen poultry, used vehicles, tyres, second-hand clothing, and electronics. In total, nine suspects were arrested, with some granted bail while investigations continue.
Ejibunu warned that smugglers are becoming more desperate and deceptive. “We have discovered containerised trucks ferrying contraband disguised as legitimate cargo. These include a 40ft container of used tyres and a 20ft container of unregistered pharmaceuticals,” he disclosed.
The Customs boss also revealed that N95.6 million was recovered from importers through Demand Notices issued on underpaid customs duties.
“The economic sabotage involved in PMS smuggling affects everything, from fuel availability to forex stability and power generation. We will not relent,” he stressed.
Ejibunu lauded the officers and men of the Service for their vigilance and bravery, describing them as patriots who “daily risk their lives to uphold the economic and territorial integrity of the nation.”
He also called for stronger community collaboration and intelligence sharing, saying: “No agency can do it alone. We are engaging traditional rulers and community leaders to foster trust and support.”
The Nigeria Customs Service reiterated its commitment to disrupting all smuggling networks undermining Nigeria’s economic stability, especially in the petroleum products sector where diversion to neighbouring countries continues to pose a critical challenge.
