By Godwin Oritse

The leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service has identified the Badagry-Seme border as the most active smuggling route in the country, accounting for approximately 35 percent of smuggling activities in 2024.

Speaking to reporters in Lagos on Monday to announce the seizure of over 28,000 litres of smuggled Petrolatum Motor Spirit, PMS, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi said that the proximity to the Republic of Benin and the complex network of waterways in this area continue to make it a preferred route for smugglers.
Adeniyi also said that what the Service is witnessing is not just routine customs violations but a systematic attempt to undermine Nigeria’s economic foundations through the diversion of strategic national resources.
He said: “The Nigeria Customs Service continues to confront a fluid national challenge that threatens our economic sovereignty and energy security: the persistent smuggling of petroleum products across our borders.
“While the government has implemented comprehensive market reforms and supply chain enhancements to stabilize the domestic petroleum sector, criminal networks remain determined to exploit regional economic disparities for illicit profit.
“These unscrupulous elements have shown remarkable adaptability, constantly refining their methods to circumvent our enforcement measures. What we are witnessing is not just routine customs violations but a systematic attempt to undermine Nigeria’s economic foundations through the diversion of strategic national resources. Each liter of petroleum product smuggled across our borders is a loss of revenue as much as it contributes to domestic scarcity, market instability, and compromised energy security for our citizens. Our economic intelligence reveals that substantial price disparities across regional borders remain the fundamental catalyst for this illicit trade, fostering a profoundly lucrative black market that systematically undermines Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and national interests.
“As you may recall, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), established a special operation codenamed ‘Whirlwind’ in collaboration with the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This strategic partnership has significantly intensified surveillance and enforcement operations across critical border corridors nationwide.
“In less than three months, Operation Whirlwind has yielded remarkable results with cumulative seizures of 245,370 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at NGN 238,140,000—and importantly, these figures exclude today’s report and seizures made through regular command structures and Federal Operations Units. I have previously presented these operational successes in Adamawa State on January 30, 2025, where our officers intercepted 199,495 liters valued at NGN 199,495,000, and in Kwara State on February 17, 2025, with additional seizures of 45,875 liters worth NGN 38,645,000.
“The steady momentum of Operation Whirlwind is further demonstrated by the commendable performance recorded in Zone “A”, covering the Lagos/Ogun axis. Today, I am pleased to present our latest operational achievements in this critical zone, which serves as both our nation’s commercial nerve center and a high-risk corridor for cross-border smuggling activities due to its strategic location along our western frontier with the Republic of Benin.
“Following intelligence-driven operations between January 11 and February 23, 2025, our vigilant officers under the Operation whirlwind, have successfully intercepted and seized a total of 28,300 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being diverted through various concealment methods and smuggling techniques. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures amounts to ₦35,8million 1,132 Jerry Cans of 25 liters each, totaling 28,300 liters, three vehicles used as means of conveyance, including:
One Toyota Camry with Chassis No. JTDAT1237101922C7 One Volkswagen with Registration No. LAGOS-AAA-928FY and Chassis No. WVW222312LE114785. One Toyota Camry with Chassis No. 4T1BG22KXXU582542.
“Our comprehensive analysis of the pattern of seizures across the Lagos/Ogun axis reveals significant insights into the dynamic smuggling tactics and dominant routes being exploited by these economic saboteurs. The seizures were strategically executed at identified smuggling corridors including:
“Badagry-Seme Corridor. Accounting for approximately 35% of total seizures, this remains the primary smuggling route with multiple interceptions recorded along Badagry-Seme Road and Badagry waterside. The proximity to the Republic of Benin and the complex network of waterways in this area continue to make it a preferred route for smugglers.
“Imeko-Afan Axis. Emerging as a significant secondary corridor with about 25% of total seizures, this area has seen increased smuggling activities, particularly at Oloko Afan, Obada-idieimi, and other remote communities within Imeko-Afan in Ogun State.
“Ilaro-Ojodan Network. Contributing approximately 22% of intercepted products, this network has become increasingly active with sophisticated smuggling attempts through Ojodan Road and Yerwa North areas.
“Owode-Ajilete Route. Responsible for about 18% of seizures, this route represents another emerging corridor being exploited by smugglers attempting to circumvent our traditional enforcement positions.
“The operational data reveals several emergent trends in smuggling tactics that warrant particular attention: Temporal Pattern Shifts. Unlike previous periods where night-time smuggling dominated, we now observe increased attempts during daylight hours, particularly between 0900hrs and 1400hrs, suggesting a tactical adaptation to our night-time enforcement operations.
“Community-Based Storage. The establishment of small, distributed storage facilities within border communities, serving as transit points for onward movement across the border.
“Vehicle Modifications. The use of specially modified vehicles with concealed compartments and falsified registration documentation, including vehicles registered in neighboring countries, highlighting the transnational nature of these smuggling networks.
“Multiple Small-Volume Movements.A shift from large-volume single shipments to multiple small-volume movements using smaller containers, strategically timed to coincide with periods of reduced enforcement visibility.
“The cumulative impact of Operation Whirlwind since its inception is substantial. Across the three operational zones where I have presented reports this year—Adamawa/Taraba Command, Kwara Command, and now Lagos Zone “A”—we have successfully intercepted a total of 273,670 liters of petroleum products with a combined value of ₦273,940,000. These figures represent not just statistical achievements but tangible protection of our national economy and energy security.
“Let me reemphasize that the successful implementation of Operation Whirlwind highlights the critical importance of strategic inter-agency collaboration in addressing complex national security challenges. “