Customs Confiscates $14.4M in Smuggled Fuel

Nigeria Customs Seizes 14,375 Litres of Smuggled Fuel in Major Operation

The Nigeria Customs Service has made a significant seizure of 14,375 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at approximately N14.4 million, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat fuel smuggling and illicit trade across the country. This operation took place amid rising petrol prices, which have placed additional pressure on consumers and the economy.

The seizure was carried out by Operation Whirlwind, a specialized task force within the Nigeria Customs Service that focuses on intercepting illegal goods and curbing cross-border smuggling activities. The PMS was intercepted in Calabar, Cross River State, and was reportedly destined for Cameroon. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized fuel is estimated at N14,375,000.

This operation highlights the increasing intensity of the Customs Service’s efforts to tackle fuel smuggling, which has long been a challenge for the nation. In recent months, the service has ramped up its operations, conducting regular raids and seizures of smuggled goods. These actions are part of a broader strategy to protect national revenue and stabilize the domestic fuel supply chain.

Deputy Comptroller Lucky Aliyu, who disclosed the details of the operation, emphasized the scale of the smuggling ring uncovered during the latest crackdown. He revealed that in the past three weeks, the unit had dismantled a network that involved 235 jerry-cans of 25 litres each and 40 drums containing 200 litres each, totaling 14,375 litres of PMS.

“This is an unprecedented volume of cross-border smuggling,” Aliyu stated. “The intercepted fuel would have otherwise been lost to the federal government, depriving it of much-needed revenue.”

He further explained that the operation was conducted through sustained surveillance and strategic interdictions along key smuggling routes such as Ikang, Bakasi, Ikom, and Ikot Idareka. The Customs Service has been working closely with local and international partners to identify and disrupt these smuggling networks.

Aliyu also stressed the broader implications of fuel smuggling on the nation’s economy and security. “Petroleum smuggling is not a victimless crime,” he said. “It undermines the nation’s economy, deprives the government of critical revenue, distorts the domestic supply chain, and creates artificial scarcity that brings hardship to ordinary Nigerians.”

He added that smuggling also fuels criminal networks that pose a threat to national security and economic stability. “These groups operate outside the law and often engage in other forms of organized crime,” he noted.

In accordance with legal procedures and principles of transparency and accountability, the seized PMS was disposed of through public auctions. This ensures that the proceeds from the sale are returned to the government and used for public benefit.

The Customs Service continues to emphasize the importance of its role in safeguarding national interests. Through operations like Whirlwind, it aims to restore trust in the system and ensure that resources are properly managed for the benefit of all citizens.