Customs

Customs auctions seized petrol at N630 per litre.

Funso OLOJO with agency report

The Nigeria Customs Service has begun auctioning petroleum products intercepted and seized by officers of Operations Whirlwind, a special anti-smuggling squad for petroleum products.

Consequently, the Comptroller-General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi has ordered the auction of petrol seized in Adamawa at N630 per litre.

At a press conference on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) Aliyu Alajogun, announced that Operation Whirlwind has achieved significant success in combating fuel smuggling.

Two lorries, 1,046 kegs filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 12 drums of petroleum products were seized.

He further announced the immediate auction of the seized products at two petrol stations in Yola, priced at N630 per litre.

“Our ongoing operations have recorded substantial seizures in various locations, including the North-West borders in the Sokoto-Kebbi axis, the South-West borders around the Seme-Badagry and Idiroko axis, and the southern borders in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.”

“I am pleased to announce that in this latest phase of Operation Whirlwind, we have seized two lorries carrying smuggled petroleum products, 1,046 kegs filled with PMS, and 12 drums of petroleum products.

“Additionally, one suspect has been apprehended in connection with these smuggling activities.

The Customs chief emphasized that the seizures highlight the ongoing challenges and the need for continuous vigilance and action.

He warned individuals involved in illegal activities, asserting that the full force of the law would be applied to anyone caught smuggling the nation’s resources.

He also urged all Nigerians, especially those in Adamawa and other border states, to support the operation, stressing that their vigilance and cooperation are essential in protecting the nation’s resources and ensuring that the benefits of fuel price deregulation are fully realized by all Nigerians.

In the years before the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry, the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries like Niger, Cameroon and the Benin Republic has been on the increase.

This significantly pushed the burden of subsidy on the Nigerian government while foreigners in other countries enjoyed the benefit.

In June, up to 1,800 petrol stations in the Northeast were shut down due to a row between petroleum marketers and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over the Customs clampdown on petrol smuggling targeting some marketers.

Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that Nigeria’s daily average fuel consumption has dropped by 18.5 million litres, from 66.9 million litres before the fuel subsidy removal to 48.4 million litres.

Furthermore, S&P Global Commodities Insights reported that Nigeria’s fuel imports decreased to 106,000 barrels per day (bpd) in July 2023, compared to 205,200 barrels per day in May 2023.

Related Topics:auctioned petrol featured

Up Next

Stakeholders accuse Finance Ministry of frustrating government’s six-month duty waiver on food imports

Don't Miss

MARAN convenes public lecture on dismantling trade barriers under AfCFTA

Click to comment

Customs

Wale Adeniyi, CGC, bags one-year tenure extension as WCO Council Chairman

Funso OLOJO, Editor

Few days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, by an additional six months, the World Customs Organization (WCO) has also renewed his tenure as Chairman of its Council for another one year.

The decision was unanimously endorsed by member countries during the 147th and 148th sessions of the WCO Council held in Brussels, Belgium, reaffirming the confidence of the global customs community in Adeniyi’s leadership.

Addressing members of the NCS management team who gave him a rousing welcome on his return to Nigeria on Monday, June 29, 2026, Adeniyi revealed that he had travelled to Brussels expecting to hand over the chairmanship but was instead entrusted with another one-year mandate.

“I sincerely appreciate your support. I went to Brussels believing I was going to hand over, but the outcome was different. The Council renewed my tenure for another one year, and I dedicate this achievement to the entire Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

Adeniyi made history in June 2025 when he became the first Nigerian to be elected Chairman of the WCO Council, the highest decision-making body of the global customs organisation.

The renewal of his international mandate comes just days after President Tinubu approved a six-month extension of his tenure as Comptroller-General of Customs, a development widely seen as a strong endorsement of his leadership, reform initiatives and outstanding performance both nationally and internationally.

In recognition of the milestone, the NCS management team presented the Comptroller-General with a symbolic souvenir to celebrate his exemplary leadership and contributions to the transformation of the Service.

Responding to the gesture, Adeniyi expressed appreciation to the management team for their unwavering support, describing the honour as a reflection of the unity, professionalism and shared commitment that exist within the Nigeria Customs Service.

The renewed confidence reposed in him by both the Federal Government and the international customs community is expected to further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing reform agenda, deepen global partnerships, enhance trade facilitation and reinforce Nigeria’s growing influence in international customs administration.

Customs

Wale Adeniyi,CGC, bags tenure extension as WCO Chairman

Funso OLOJO, Editor

Few days after his tenure as the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria customs service was renewed by additional six months by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the World Customs Organization(WCO), has also followed suit by the renewal of the tenure of Adewale Adeniyi as the Council Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO).

The council members, at the 147th and 148th WCO sessions at Brussels, Belgium, were unanimous in their decision to allow Adeniyi to continue as the Chairman of the global Customs body.

While addressing his management team which gave his a rousing welcome on his return on Monday, June, 29th, 2026, the CGC said he went to Brussels to hand over but was rather rewarded with tenure extension.

“I sincerely appreciate your support. I went to Brussels believing I was going to hand over, but the outcome was different.

” The Council renewed my tenure for another one year, and I dedicate this achievement to the entire Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

Adeniyi was elected as the Chairman of the global Customs body in June 2025 as the first Nigerian to be so honored.

The renewal of his Council Chairmanship coincides with the renewal of his tenure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the CGC by another six months, thus confirming the national and global recognition of his capacity, leadership qualities and exceptional performance as number one customs officer in Nigeria and the world.

Recognizing the rare feat achieved by the CGC, his management team welcomed him from the WCO council sessions with a symbolic souvenir that showed their love to their principal and exemplary leadership and contributions to the growth and transformation of the NCS.

Responding, CGC Adeniyi thanked the management team for their unwavering support, describing the gesture as a reflection of the unity and shared commitment within the Service.

He disclosed that he travelled to Brussels expecting to hand over the chairmanship of the WCO Council but was instead entrusted with another one-year mandate by members of the Council.

The renewed international mandate, alongside the extension of his tenure as CGC, reinforces confidence in his leadership and is expected to further advance the Service’s reform agenda, international partnerships, and trade facilitation efforts.

Customs

Customs PR officers dominate NCCSC graduation, clinch overall best honours

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Public Relations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a rare academic feat as two of its officers emerged the top graduating students at the Nigeria Customs Service Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada.

At the graduation ceremony for Senior Course 14 held on Friday,June 26th, 2026, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Ridwan Yusuf was named the Overall Best Graduating Student, capping an outstanding performance by winning three additional awards.

His colleague, CSC Nuruddeen Sa’idu, was named the Second Best Graduating Student, completing a remarkable sweep by officers from the Service’s Public Relations Unit.

The double honour highlights the intellectual depth, leadership capacity and professionalism within the Customs Public Relations Unit, demonstrating that its officers excel not only in strategic communication but also in administration, operational management and policy leadership.

Beyond the accolades, the achievement is expected to open another chapter in their careers, as both officers may be retained by the College as Directing Staff, in keeping with the institution’s tradition of engaging its highest-performing graduates to mentor future participants.

If confirmed, the appointments would recognise their exceptional academic and professional abilities while entrusting them with the responsibility of shaping the next generation of Customs leaders, although their absence would be keenly felt within the Public Relations Unit.

The Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Unit congratulated both officers on their outstanding accomplishments and wished them continued success as they assume greater responsibilities in service to the nation.