The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its intelligence-led Operation Whirlwind, has intercepted three fuel tankers carrying a total of 154,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along the Badagry corridor, thwarting an attempted diversion of petroleum products.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this on Friday, 20 February 2026, during a handover and public auction at the Customs Training College, Ikeja. He attributed the seizures to sustained intelligence-driven operations across the Owode Apa, Seme, and Badagry axis.
Aliyu explained that the tankers were laden with 60,000 litres, 49,000 litres, and 45,000 litres respectively, in violation of established Standard Operating Procedures. “Their interception was not accidental; it was the outcome of intelligence-driven operations, vigilance, and the uncompromising resolve of Operation Whirlwind to safeguard Nigeria’s economic and energy security,” he said.
He further noted that within nine weeks, operatives intensified surveillance across critical border communities, leading to the seizure of 1,630 jerry-cans of PMS, totalling 40,750 litres with a Duty Paid Value of ₦40.75 million. According to Aliyu, “The border corridors of Owode Apa, Seme, and Badagry remain sensitive economic arteries. These routes have historically been exploited for illegal cross-border petroleum movements. However, let it be clearly stated that under our watch there will be no safe haven for economic saboteurs.”
In line with inter-agency collaboration, the intercepted tankers were handed over to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for regulatory action. Grace Dauda, representing the Authority, expressed satisfaction with the synergy between the Service and other agencies, reiterating its mandate to ensure petroleum products meant for domestic consumption are not diverted outside the country.
To reinforce accountability, the seized PMS contained in the jerry-cans was auctioned to the public in accordance with extant regulations, underscoring the Service’s commitment to transparency and proper asset disposal.
Deputy Comptroller Aliyu concluded that Operation Whirlwind remains resolute in its mission to prevent smuggling, hoarding, and economic sabotage, warning that the NCS would continue to employ intelligence-driven operations to protect Nigeria’s economic and energy security.
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