Smuggled Nigerian Petrol Floods West African Markets at N1,700/Litre

The Nigerian Federal Government has raised concerns over a surge in smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, following significant price hikes in neighboring West African countries. As of Monday, petrol in Nigeria sells for around N701 per litre, while in neighboring countries, the price averages N1,787 per litre, fueling an increase in smuggling activities.

At a press conference in Yola, Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), announced collaborative efforts with the Office of the National Security Adviser to address this issue. Adeniyi highlighted Operation Whirlwind, a strategic initiative launched to combat fuel smuggling. He noted that Nigeria’s recent removal of the fuel subsidy had led to a price adjustment, making Nigerian fuel cheaper compared to other West and Central African countries.

Despite the inflationary impact on Nigerian households, the substantial price disparity has incentivized smugglers to illicitly transport PMS out of Nigeria. Adeniyi pointed out significant discrepancies in fuel evacuation data from border states, suggesting large-scale smuggling activities. He provided detailed accounts of fuel seizures and operations aimed at dismantling smuggling networks.

In the past two weeks, NCS operations have intercepted 150,950 litres of PMS, valued at over N105 million. These seizures occurred across various locations, including significant captures in Adamawa, Sokoto, and Ogun states. The NCS emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among government agencies and local communities to effectively combat smuggling and protect national resources.

The Nigerian government had previously shut down 270 filling stations to curb smuggling and deployed security operatives to monitor fuel distribution. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to ensure fuel availability within the country and mitigate economic and security risks posed by smuggling.

The government continues to enforce strict monitoring and collaboration with security agencies to address the complex challenge of fuel smuggling and its broader implications for Nigeria’s economy and national security.