Customs Comptroller General pays working visit to Kwara

…as command records 53,000 liters of PMS seizures in one month

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, has disclosed that a total of 53,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were seized by the Kwara Command between January 14 and February 11, 2025. The seizures, he said, have an overall Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦53 million.

Adeniyi made the disclosure during his working visit to the Kwara Command in Ilorin on Monday.

“In total, our operatives successfully intercepted 800 jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS and 33,000 liters in tankers, making a total of 53,000 liters of PMS, with an overall Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦53,000,000.

“These seizures in the Kwara axis complement our ongoing nationwide anti-smuggling operations, where officers are simultaneously monitoring and intercepting illegal petroleum movements across our strategic border corridors,” Adeniyi stated.

The Customs boss noted that through intelligence-driven operations and routine enforcement activities, significant results have been achieved, including the sealing of 12 retail outlets involved in smuggling activities, the seizure of over 460,000 liters of PMS destined for neighboring countries, the confiscation of 23 means of conveyance, and the arrest and ongoing prosecution of seven suspects. Three marketers have been transferred to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for regulatory sanctions.

Adeniyi emphasized that through Operation Whirlwind, the service has adopted an integrated border security strategy that combines advanced surveillance technology, real-time intelligence gathering, and active community engagement.

“As part of my working visit to the Kwara Command to assess our overall operational capabilities and engage with our officers on the front line, I am pleased to present one aspect of our recent achievements in this zone.

“Between January 14th and February 11th, 2025, our vigilant officers under Operation Whirlwind have demonstrated exceptional commitment in curbing petroleum smuggling activities,” Adeniyi said.

He highlighted specific interceptions during this period, including:

14th January 2025: 94 jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS intercepted along Gure Road in Kwara State, with a DPV of ₦2,350,000.

16th January 2025: 30 jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS intercepted around Bankubu area in Kwara State, with a DPV of ₦7,500,000.

20th January 2025: 65 jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS intercepted along Illesha Baruba axis in Kwara State, with a DPV of ₦1,625,000.

3rd February 2025: 30 jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS intercepted along Gure Road in Kwara State, with a DPV of ₦750,000.

5th February 2025: 162 jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS intercepted around Kayama Forest in Kwara State, in a Nissan Pickup (Reg. No. MHA556FD), driven by Mr. Nafiu Salami (suspect under administrative bail), with a DPV of ₦4,050,000.

8th February 2025: 50 jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS intercepted along Gure Road in Kwara State, with a DPV of ₦1,250,000.

8th February 2025: 39 jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS intercepted around Kayama Bush Path in Kwara State, in an Avalon Saloon Car (Reg. No. BHZ205RB, Republic of Benin), with a DPV of ₦975,000.

8th February 2025: 45 jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS intercepted around Ilesa Baruba Gurara Bush Path in Kwara State, with a DPV of ₦1,125,000.

11th February 2025: 33,000 liters of PMS intercepted along Siya Buriya Road in Kwara State, in a tanker truck (Reg. No. BDU44ZB), with a DPV of ₦33,000,000.

13th February 2025: 285 jerry cans of 25 liters of PMS intercepted around Bankubo area, with a DPV of ₦7,125,000.

Adeniyi lamented that the persistent challenge of petroleum products smuggling continues to pose an existential threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security.

He noted that despite the government’s implementation of the petroleum subsidy removal policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, sophisticated smuggling operations persist across Nigeria’s borders.

“Since the implementation of the petroleum subsidy removal policy, we have observed a disturbing trend in sophisticated smuggling operations despite the expectation that fuel prices would align with those of neighboring countries.

“For instance, as of February 10, 2025, petrol prices in Nigeria are ₦1,184.83 per liter, significantly lower than prices in neighboring countries such as Benin (₦1,680.20 per liter) and Cameroon (₦2,030.89 per liter),” Adeniyi said.

He attributed the persistence of smuggling activities to these price differentials, which create a lucrative arbitrage opportunity for criminal networks.

Despite efforts to curb the activities of these networks through Operation Whirlwind, in collaboration with the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), smuggling activities continue to thrive.

To the economic saboteurs undermining the national economy through smuggling, Adeniyi issued a clear warning: “We will deploy the full weight of the law, and there will be no safe haven for those involved in smuggling activities.”

Earlier, the Comptroller of the Kwara Area Command, Faith Ojeifo, reaffirmed the commitment of his officers to eradicating fuel smuggling.

“Smuggling is an attack on our economy, and we will not relent. We urge residents in border communities to assist us by reporting suspicious activities,” he said.