Customs ‘Operation Whirlwind’ Contains PMS Smuggling Across Nigeria, Secures 245,370 litres Seizures Worth over N238M in 3 Months
… As CGC Adeniyi Assures Fuel Smugglers of Tougher Times Ahead
CGC Adeniyi MFR Briefing the press on activities of ‘Operations Whirlwind’
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has been over the years inundated with series of battle against several unwholesome elements of the state, especially smuggling with their recalcitrant posture in perpetrating their crimes which continue to bleed the nation’s economy.
With the huge losses being experienced by Nigeria through the smuggling of Petroleum Motor Spirits (PMS) to neighboring countries, the service created ‘Operation Whirlwind’ – Customs’ Anti-PMS Smuggling unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), which has so far recorded humongous successes and save the nationhood a great deal and the NCS is leaving no stone unturned to nip their illicit activities in the bud.
It would be recalled that the CG of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR created a unit out of the Service called ‘Operation Whirlwind’, with the aim of combating cross border smuggling of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) across the nation, and their efforts have so far shown positive trend with massive PMS seizure running into billions of naira from across various Nigerian borders and hinterlands.
The CGC, Adeniyi and the Coordinator, ‘Operations Whirlwind’, ACG HK Ejibunu
Recently, the CGC, Adewale Adeniyi MFR was on ground at Customs Training College press briefing in Lagos to personally give credence to the efforts so far made by the Anti-PMS Unit, headed by no other than recently elevated Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, a no-nonsense customs anti-smuggling czar with decades of sterling enforcement performance.
However, on activities of Operation Whirlwind, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, on Monday, 3 March 2025, has assured smugglers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) that tougher times lie ahead as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intensifies its crackdown on fuel smuggling.
This warning is coming on the heels of about 28,300 litres of PMS intercepted by officers of Operation Whirlwind along the Lagos-Ogun border region which is valued at N35.8 million.
The latest development was announced during a press briefing at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, the CGC reiterated the Service’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s energy security and economic sovereignty.
He stated, “What we are witnessing is not just routine customs violations but a systematic attempt to undermine Nigeria’s economic foundations through the diversion of strategic national resources.”
“In less than three months, Operation Whirlwind has yielded remarkable results, with cumulative seizures of 245,370 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N238,140,000. Importantly, these figures exclude today’s report and seizures made through regular command structures and the Federal Operations Units,” he added.
According to him, the steady momentum of Operation Whirlwind is further demonstrated by the commendable performance recorded in Zone ‘A’, covering the Lagos-Ogun axis.
“Following intelligence-driven operations between 11 January and 23 February 2025, our vigilant officers under Operation Whirlwind successfully intercepted and seized 28,300 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being diverted through various concealment methods and smuggling techniques. These seizures’ Duty Paid Value (DPV) amounts to N35,800,000.”
According to him, details of these seizures include 1,132 jerrycans of 25 litres each, totalling 28,300 litres. Three (3) vehicles were used as means of conveyance, including one Toyota Camry, one Volkswagen, and one Toyota Camry.
The CGC noted that the intercepted fuel was being moved through well-known smuggling corridors, with the Badagry-Seme axis accounting for 35% of the seizures. Other key routes include, Imeko-Afon Axis (25%) – A growing hotspot in Ogun State, Ilaro-Ojodan Network (22%) – Increasingly active due to its remote location, Owode-Ajilete Route (18%) – Smugglers exploiting gaps in enforcement.
Adeniyi emphasised that Customs is responding aggressively to smugglers’ tactics.
“Let me be clear: there will be no safe haven for smugglers in our operational areas. We shall continue to adapt our strategies to counter the dynamic tactics of these economic saboteurs. We will deploy additional resources and adopt even more stringent measures to ensure that petroleum products meant for domestic consumption are secured for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, the customs boss has expressed confidence to continue with the winning team led by the newly promoted ACG Ejibunu to head the well performing team, as their efforts have continued to receive commendations from different quarters including the Presidency because of the healing process it has brought to the nation’s economy.
He commended the dedication and courage of the Operation Whirlwind team across the nation, headed by ACG Hussein Ejibunu, stating that their vigilance, integrity, and commitment to duty are commendable in the face of significant operational challenges.
Customs Operation Whirlwind Contains PMS Smuggling Across Nigeria, Secures 245,370 litres Seizures Worth over N238M in 3 Months
… As CGC Adeniyi Assures Fuel Smugglers of Tougher Times Ahead
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has been over the years inundated with series of battle against several unwholesome elements of the state, especially smuggling with their recalcitrant posture in perpetrating their crimes which continue to bleed the nation’s economy.
With the huge losses being experienced by Nigeria through the smuggling of Petroleum Motor Spirits (PMS) to neighboring countries, the service created ‘Operation Whirlwind’ – Customs’ Anti-PMS Smuggling unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), which has so far recorded humongous successes and save the nationhood a great deal and the NCS is leaving no stone unturned to nip their illicit activities in the bud.
It would be recalled that the CG of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR created a unit out of the Service called ‘Operation Whirlwind’, with the aim of combating cross border smuggling of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) across the nation, and their efforts have so far shown positive trend with massive PMS seizure running into billions of naira from across various Nigerian borders and hinterlands.
Recently, the CGC, Adewale Adeniyi MFR was on ground at Customs Training College press briefing in Lagos to personally give credence to the efforts so far made by the Anti-PMS Unit, headed by no other than recently elevated Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, a no-nonsense customs anti-smuggling czar with decades of sterling enforcement performance.
However, on activities of Operation Whirlwind, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, on Monday, 3 March 2025, has assured smugglers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) that tougher times lie ahead as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intensifies its crackdown on fuel smuggling.
This warning is coming on the heels of about 28,300 litres of PMS intercepted by officers of Operation Whirlwind along the Lagos-Ogun border region which is valued at N35.8 million.
The latest development was announced during a press briefing at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, the CGC reiterated the Service’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s energy security and economic sovereignty.
He stated, “What we are witnessing is not just routine customs violations but a systematic attempt to undermine Nigeria’s economic foundations through the diversion of strategic national resources.”
“In less than three months, Operation Whirlwind has yielded remarkable results, with cumulative seizures of 245,370 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N238,140,000. Importantly, these figures exclude today’s report and seizures made through regular command structures and the Federal Operations Units,” he added.
According to him, the steady momentum of Operation Whirlwind is further demonstrated by the commendable performance recorded in Zone ‘A’, covering the Lagos-Ogun axis.
“Following intelligence-driven operations between 11 January and 23 February 2025, our vigilant officers under Operation Whirlwind successfully intercepted and seized 28,300 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being diverted through various concealment methods and smuggling techniques. These seizures’ Duty Paid Value (DPV) amounts to N35,800,000.”
According to him, details of these seizures include 1,132 jerrycans of 25 litres each, totalling 28,300 litres. Three (3) vehicles were used as means of conveyance, including one Toyota Camry, one Volkswagen, and one Toyota Camry.
The CGC noted that the intercepted fuel was being moved through well-known smuggling corridors, with the Badagry-Seme axis accounting for 35% of the seizures. Other key routes include, Imeko-Afon Axis (25%) – A growing hotspot in Ogun State, Ilaro-Ojodan Network (22%) – Increasingly active due to its remote location, Owode-Ajilete Route (18%) – Smugglers exploiting gaps in enforcement.
Adeniyi emphasised that Customs is responding aggressively to smugglers’ tactics.
“Let me be clear: there will be no safe haven for smugglers in our operational areas. We shall continue to adapt our strategies to counter the dynamic tactics of these economic saboteurs. We will deploy additional resources and adopt even more stringent measures to ensure that petroleum products meant for domestic consumption are secured for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, the customs boss has expressed confidence to continue with the winning team led by the newly promoted ACG Ejibunu to head the well performing team, as their efforts have continued to receive commendations from different quarters including the Presidency because of the healing process it has brought to the nation’s economy.
He commended the dedication and courage of the Operation Whirlwind team across the nation, headed by ACG Hussein Ejibunu, stating that their vigilance, integrity, and commitment to duty are commendable in the face of significant operational challenges.
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