Nigeria Customs Thwarts N80.4 Million Petrol Smuggling Operation to Benin Republic скачать в хорошем качестве

Nigeria Customs Thwarts N80.4 Million Petrol Smuggling Operation to Benin Republic

Lagos, Nigeria – October 15, 2025,– In a significant blow to cross-border smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service’s Operation Whirlwind has intercepted 1,980 jerrycans of premium motor spirit—commonly known as petrol—valued at N80.4 million, preventing its illegal export to the Republic of Benin. The seizure, announced earlier today, underscores ongoing efforts to curb the illicit trade of subsidized fuel amid Nigeria’s fuel subsidy reforms. The operation, detailed in a press conference captured in images circulating on social media, showcased stacks of yellow jerrycans amassed at an undisclosed location. A customs official, speaking at a podium flanked by officers, highlighted the scale of the interception, which involved collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. According to recent reports, such operations have intensified since the subsidy removal in 2023, with smugglers exploiting porous borders along the 800-kilometer Nigeria-Benin frontier, including clandestine routes via rivers and the Gulf of Guinea. The timing of this seizure has sparked mixed reactions across Nigeria. While some citizens applaud the Customs Service’s efforts, others question the persistence of fuel scarcity at home. Social media platforms, particularly X, buzzed with frustration as users noted long queues at petrol stations in cities like Lagos and Kano, with one commenter asking, “How does petrol reach the border when Lagos to Ibadan has no fuel?” Another user speculated that the operation only succeeded because “the mastermind didn’t settle” customs officials, hinting at possible corruption or political involvement. Economic analysts point to the broader context of Nigeria’s fuel crisis. Despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer, the country imports all its refined petrol, a situation exacerbated by debts and global price hikes, as reported by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation earlier this year. The recent milestone of domestic refinery production has yet to ease shortages, fueling a thriving black market where smugglers capitalize on price disparities—subsidized fuel in Nigeria sells for far less than in neighboring Benin. Critics argue that while Operation Whirlwind demonstrates progress, systemic issues remain. “This is a systematic attempt to undermine Nigeria’s economic stability,” a customs official was quoted as saying in a related press briefing, referencing evolving smuggling tactics like “daylight operations.” However, public sentiment, reflected in X posts, calls for tougher accountability and better distribution to address domestic needs rather than just border seizures. Authorities have not disclosed the final destination of the confiscated petrol or the identities of those involved, but the incident adds to a series of high-profile interventions by the Customs Service. As Nigeria grapples with balancing enforcement and supply, the question lingers: will these efforts translate into relief for citizens still stranded at fuel stations?