Operation Whirlwind Team of Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted 28,300 litres of petrol worth ₦35,800,000 million between January 11 and February 23, 2025.
The petrol was stored in 1,132 jerry cans of 15 litres each and was being transported using three vehicles, including two Toyota Camry cars and one Volkswagen.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi disclosed this at a press briefing in Ikeja, Lagos.
His words: “The Nigeria Customs Service continues to confront a fluid national challenge that threatens our economic sovereignty and energy security; the persistent smuggling of petroleum products across our borders. While the government has implemented comprehensive market reforms and supply chain enhancements to stabilize the domestic petroleum sector, criminal networks remain determined to exploit regional economic disparities for illicit profit.
“These unscrupulous elements have shown remarkable adaptability, constantly refining their methods to circumvent our enforcement measures. What we are witnessing is not just routine customs violations but a systematic attempt to undermine Nigeria’s economic foundations through the diversion of strategic national resources. Each liter of petroleum product smuggled across our borders is a loss of revenue as much as it contributes to domestic scarcity, market instability, and compromised energy security for our citizens. Our economic intelligence reveals that substantial price disparities across regional borders remain the fundamental catalyst for this illicit trade, fostering a profoundly lucrative black market that systematically undermines Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and national interests.
“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).”
According to him, the 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 liters 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 liters valued at NGN 199,495,000, and in Kwara State on February 17, 2025, with additional seizures of 45,875 liters 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 center 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 the Operation whirlwind, have successfully intercepted and seized a total of 28,300 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being diverted through various concealment methods and smuggling techniques. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures amounts to Thirty Five Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira Only (₦35,800,000),” Comptroller Adeniyi stated.
He noted that the Service’s 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 Customs boss highlighted the locations, including Badagry-Semi Corridor, Imeko-Afan Axis, Ilaro-Ojodan Network and Owode-Ajilete Route.
On Badagry-Semi Corridor, Adeniyi said that it accounts for approximately 35% of total seizures, becoming the primary smuggling route with multiple interceptions recorded along Badagry-Seme Road and Badagry waterside.
He stated that the proximity to the Republic of Benin and the complex network of waterways in the area continue to make it a preferred route for smugglers.
With reference to Imeko-Afan Axis, the Comptroller acknowledged that it is emerging as a significant secondary corridor with about 25% of total seizures, emphasising that the area has seen increased smuggling activities, particularly at Oloko Afan, Obada-idieimi, and other remote communities within Imeko-Afan in Ogun State.
He mentioned that Ilaro-Ojodan Network is contributing approximately 22% of intercepted products, noting that the network has become increasingly active with sophisticated smuggling attempts through Ojodan Road and Yerwa North areas.
However, Adeniyi disclosed that Owode-Ajilete Route is responsible for about 18% of seizures, stressing that it represents another emerging corridor being exploited by smugglers attempting to circumvent the Service’s traditional enforcement positions.
The Customs leader pointed out that operational data reveals several emergent trends in smuggling tactics that warrant particular attention, including Temporal Pattern Shifts, Community-Based Storage, Vehicle Modifications and Multiple Small-Volume Movements.
As regards Temporal Patterns Shifts, he explained that unlike previous periods where night-time smuggling dominated, the NCS now observe increased attempts during daylight hours, particularly between 0900hrs and 1400hrs, suggesting a tactical adaptation to the Service’s night-time enforcement operations.
He described Community-Based Storage as the establishment of small, distributed storage facilities within border communities, serving as transit points for onward movement across the border.
Adeniyi said that Vehicle Modifications involve the use of specially modified vehicles with concealed compartments and falsified registration documentation, including vehicles registered in neighboring countries, highlighting the transnational nature of these smuggling networks.
Similarly, he elaborated that Multiple Small-Volume Movements is 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.
Comptroller Adeniyi continued: “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 liters 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.”
He reiterated that the successful implementation of Operation Whirlwind highlights the critical importance of strategic inter-agency collaboration in addressing complex national security challenges.
“This collaborative framework, championed by the National Security Adviser and vigorously supported by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, characterizes the administration’s proactive stance on security governance. The President’s directive on preemptive response to early warning signals of security threats has fundamentally transformed our operational approach, enabling seamless intelligence sharing and coordinated tactical responses across security and regulatory agencies.
“Our partnership with the NMDPRA and support from ONSA has enhanced our operational effectiveness through intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement actions, and harmonized strategic planning. Moving forward, we intend to expand this collaborative framework to include additional stakeholders, particularly the Nigerian Navy for enhanced maritime domain awareness, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps for critical infrastructure protection, and border communities for improved intelligence gathering.
“We acknowledge that sustained success in this operation requires continuous adaptation and enhancement of our tactics. Consequently, we will be implementing the following strategic initiatives in the coming weeks; Deployment of advanced surveillance technology along identified high-risk corridors, establishment of additional tactical response teams with specialized training in petroleum products interdiction, enhanced community engagement programs to foster greater cooperation from border communities and implementation of an intelligence-driven risk assessment framework to optimize resource allocation,” he further remarked.
The Comptroller warned that there will be no safe haven for smugglers in Customs operational areas, stating that the Service will continue to maintain this momentum and continue to adapt its strategies to counter the dynamic tactics of these economic saboteurs.
Adeniyi also disclosed that the NCS will deploy additional resources and adopt even more stringent measures to ensure that petroleum products meant for domestic consumption are secured for the benefit of all Nigerians.
He lauded the dedication and courage of the Operation Whirlwind team in Zone A, and all officers deployed to the group across the nation, stating that their vigilance, integrity, and commitment to duty is commendable in the face of significant operational challenges and risks.
The Customs leader assured that the NCS will continue to protect Nigeria’s economic interests and ensure that the benefits of government policies reach all citizens.
“We shall continue to justify the confidence reposed in us by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration,” he added.
