Customs Busts Cross-Border Petrol Diversion, Intercepts 41,240 Litres Of PMS In Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 1,650 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, valued at N40.7 million across border communities in Lagos State.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday during an address to journalists at the Customs Training College in Ikeja. He was represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind and Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Abubakar Aliyu.

According to Adeniyi, the seized PMS, totalling 41,250 litres, was intercepted over the last nine weeks at notorious smuggling corridors, including Owode-Apa, Seme Border, Badagry, and other flashpoints in Lagos.

In the space of nine weeks, our operatives intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across critical border communities. As a result, 1,630 jerry cans of 25 litres each were intercepted along routes such as Adodo, Seme, Oode Apa, Ajilete, Idjaun, Ilaro, Badagry, Idiroko, and Imeko. The total duty paid value of the PMS is N40.7 million,” he said.

The Customs boss further revealed that three tankers used as means of conveyance were also impounded. The trucks were carrying 60,000 litres, 45,000 litres, and 49,000 litres respectively, bringing the total volume of intercepted fuel in the tankers to 154,000 litres.

He emphasised that the seizures were intelligence-driven and part of the ongoing enforcement efforts under Operation Whirlwind, a special anti-smuggling initiative launched in 2024 to combat cross-border diversion of petroleum products and other contraband.

Adeniyi noted that the movement and transportation of petroleum products are governed by established regulatory frameworks designed to prevent diversion, hoarding, and economic sabotage.

He stressed that the seized products violated the Standard Operating Procedures guiding petroleum distribution.

These violations undermine government policy, distort market stability, and deprive the nation of critical revenue. The border corridors of Owode, Seme, and Badagry remain sensitive economic arteries. Under our watch, there will be no haven for economic sabotage,” he warned.

The seized petroleum products were formally handed over to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further investigation in line with inter-agency collaboration protocols.

Adeniyi said the handover underscores institutional synergy, explaining that while the Customs Service enforces border control and anti-smuggling laws, NMDPRA regulates distribution and ensures compliance with downstream petroleum regulations.

In her remarks, a representative of NMDPRA, Mrs Grace Dauda, reiterated the agency’s mandate to ensure that petroleum products intended for domestic consumption are not diverted for export.

Unfortunately, some businessmen attempt to smuggle these products out of the country. We urge the public to collaborate with authorities to put an end to economic sabotage,” she said.