The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Operation Whirlwind has intercepted 15,375 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at ₦15.37 million along the Kwara and Niger border corridor.
The announcement was made during a press briefing and public auction exercise held on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Kwara Area Command Headquarters in Ilorin.
The event featured a welcome address by the Acting Area Controller of the Kwara Area Command, Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, followed by an operational address by the newly appointed National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Mahmood Bello Ishidi.
Detailing the operation, Ishidi revealed that intelligence-driven interdictions across border flashpoints including Kaiama, Shiya, Kenu, Boriya, Luma, Baruten, Ilesha-Baruba, Taberu, and Salla-Gwanara led to the recovery of 615 jerrycans (25-litre capacity each) of smuggled petrol.
Ishidi reiterated the directive of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, emphasizing that petroleum smuggling constitutes severe economic sabotage that artificially inflates domestic fuel prices, destabilizes supply chains, and threatens national border security.
The National Coordinator commended the strategic collaboration of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), reassuring the public that intercepted petroleum products will be auctioned transparently in compliance with Federal Government regulations.
