OPERATION WHIRLWIND ERUPTS: Customs Seizes14,375 Litres Of PMS In Major Crackdown

Acting on the Nigeria Customs Service’s vision to eradicate smuggling and boost government revenue, the special anti-smuggling unit—Operation Whirlwind—has unleashed a fierce crackdown in recent weeks.

The team has disrupted illicit exports of petroleum products, sowing panic among smuggling cartels nationwide.

Under Deputy Comptroller Lucky Aliyu’s leadership, Operation Whirlwind has intercepted an unprecedented volume of cross-border Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) smuggling that violated export regulations or evaded customs duties.

In the last three weeks alone, the unit seized 235 jerry cans (25 litres each) and 40 drums (200 litres each) of PMS, totaling 14,375 litres.

The duty-paid value (DPV) of these products stands at N14,375,000, revenue that would otherwise have been lost to the federal government.

Through sustained surveillance and strategic interdictions at flashpoints along the Ikang, Bakassi, Ikom, and Ikot Idarekpa routes, DC Aliyu and his team tracked down these 25-litre kegs. Let me state clearly,” he said. “Petroleum smuggling is not a victimless crime.

It undermines the national economy, deprives the government of critical revenue, distorts the domestic supply chain, and creates artificial scarcity that brings hardship to ordinary Nigerians.”

“Smuggling also empowers criminal networks that threaten national security and economic stability,” he added.In line with legal provisions, transparency, accountability, and due process, the seized 14,375 litres of PMS were disposed of via public auction.

“This ensures the products re-enter the legitimate domestic supply chain for public benefit, rather than being diverted back into illegal channels.DC Aliyu further revealed that, based on credible intelligence, the unit dismantled a coordinated network illegally exporting PMS to neighboring Cameroon.”Operation Whirlwind is a special anti-petroleum smuggling initiative designed to combat the illicit diversion of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders,” he explained. “It safeguards the nation’s economic interests, protects national energy security, and ensures petroleum meant for domestic use stays in the country.”

He issued a stark warning: “To those still involved in illegal petroleum smuggling, the era of impunity is over. Operation Whirlwind remains resolute, proactive, and intelligence-driven.

“We will continue to track, intercept, and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate.”