- 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.
POPULAR TODAY
Discussion about this post