- He described fuel smuggling as a “direct threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security”
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted over 53,000 litres of smuggled petrol in Kwara State under Operation Whirlwind.
Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi said the seizures, made between 14 January and 11 February, had a total Duty Paid Value of ₦53 million. He described fuel smuggling as a “direct threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security.”
Despite fuel subsidy removal, smugglers exploit price differences between Nigeria and neighbouring countries, he said, with petrol selling for ₦1,184.83 per litre in Nigeria compared to ₦2,030.89 in Cameroon.
Recent interceptions include a 33,000-litre tanker truck on 11 February and 4,050 litres hidden in a Nissan pickup at Kayama Forest on 5 February.
Adeniyi said Customs is deploying digital monitoring tools and intelligence-sharing to curb smuggling. He urged communities and fuel marketers to support the fight, warning that offenders would face the full force of the law.