The Nigeria Customs Service, under its anti-smuggling task force, Operation Whirlwind, has intercepted three fuel tankers conveying a combined 154,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along the Badagry corridor, thwarting an attempted diversion of petroleum products.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this on Friday, February 20, 2026, during a handover and public auction held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja. He said the seizures followed sustained intelligence-led operations across the Owode Apa, Seme and Badagry axis.
Aliyu explained that the intercepted tankers carried 60,000 litres, 49,000 litres and 45,000 litres of PMS respectively, in violation of established Standard Operating Procedures governing the movement of petroleum products.
“Their interception was not accidental; it was the outcome of intelligence-driven operations, vigilance, and the uncompromising resolve of Operation Whirlwind to safeguard Nigeria’s economic and energy security,” he said.
He further revealed that within nine weeks, operatives intensified surveillance across critical border communities, leading to the seizure of 1,630 jerry-cans of 25 litres each, amounting to 40,750 litres of PMS with a Duty Paid Value of ₦40.75 million.
According to Aliyu, the transportation of petroleum products is regulated by strict frameworks aimed at preventing diversion, smuggling, hoarding and other acts of economic sabotage, noting that the Owode Apa, Seme and Badagry routes remain sensitive economic corridors historically exploited for illegal cross-border fuel movements.
“The border corridors of Owode Apa, Seme, and Badagry remain sensitive economic arteries. These routes have historically been exploited for illegal cross-border petroleum movements. However, under our watch, there will be no safe haven for economic saboteurs,” he warned.
In line with inter-agency collaboration, the seized tankers were handed over to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for appropriate regulatory action.
Speaking on behalf of the Authority, Grace Dauda commended the synergy among security and regulatory agencies, reiterating its mandate to ensure petroleum products meant for domestic consumption are not diverted outside the country.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the PMS contained in the seized jerry-cans was auctioned to the public in accordance with extant regulations, underscoring the Service’s commitment to proper asset disposal and public trust.
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