The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its Operation Whirlwind initiative, has intercepted a total of 39,425 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and eight vehicles used in ferrying the product to neighbouring countries, with the total seizure valued at N63,425,000.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu, made this known during a media briefing held at the Customs Training School, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to him, the seizures were effected at various smuggling hotspots across the Lagos and Ogun axis, specifically in Ilaro, Imeko, Badagry, Owode, Ajilete and nearby areas.

Ejibunu explained that the seized products were packed in 1,577 jerrycans, each containing 25 litres of petrol, destined for illegal export to countries such as the Republic of Benin.

He revealed that the duty-paid value of the intercepted PMS stood at N39.4 million, while the eight vehicles deployed to transport the products were valued at N24 million, bringing the total worth of the seizures to N63.425 million.

“There will be no hiding place for smugglers and economic saboteurs. The Nigeria Customs Service is resolute in its commitment to clamp down on all forms of illegal activities undermining the nation’s economy,” Ejibunu stated.

He disclosed that, in compliance with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the intercepted fuel was auctioned to members of the public at a subsidised rate of ₦10,000 per 25-litre jerrycan.

Ejibunu also lauded the support of key government agencies, saying the success of the operation was largely due to strategic collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

He noted that such inter-agency cooperation remains pivotal to the sustained success of anti-smuggling efforts across the country.