Customs recovers N53m worth of smuggled petrol in Kwara

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recovered over 53,000 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol in Kwara State, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N53 million, under Operation Whirlwind.

Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs speaking at the Kwara Command on Monday, said fuel smuggling remains a threat to Nigeria’s economy and national security, despite the removal of fuel subsidies.

“This illegal trade exploits price differences between Nigeria and neighbouring countries, inflates fuel costs, and creates artificial scarcity,” he said.

According to him, the global prices of petroleum, as of February 10, 2025, was sold at N1,184.83 per litre in Nigeria, compared to N1,680.32 per litre in Benin and N2,030.89 per litre in Cameroon.

“The significant price difference has encouraged large-scale smuggling, creating a black market economy that deprives Nigeria of critical resources,” Adeniyi said.

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Between January 14 and February 11, customs operatives had completed several seizures of smuggled petrol including 2,350 litres of PMS at Gure road on January 14, valued at N2.35 million, 4,050 litres at Kayama forest on February 5 hidden in a Nissan Pickup whose driver, Nafiu Salami, is out on administrative bail. The PMS was worth N4.05 million.

He also recounted the seizure of a 33,000-litre tanker truck along Siya Buriya road on February 11, worth N33 million.

Adeniyi said smugglers are getting smarter, but Customs is deploying real-time intelligence, digital surveillance, and community engagement to counter them.

“We’re closing in on economic saboteurs with smarter enforcement strategies,” he said.

NCS is working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to enforce compliance

“Those involved in fuel smuggling should reconsider their actions, as the full weight of the law will be deployed against them,” Adeniyi warned.