Kebbi Customs Seize 35,725 Litres of Smuggled Fuel in Joint Operation

 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Kebbi State, working together with the special anti-smuggling team called Operation Whirlwind, has stopped a large amount of fuel and other smuggled goods from being taken out of the country. The Customs Area Controller, Controller Mahmoud Matawalle, shared the details during a press briefing held at the Command headquarters in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Controller Matawalle said the team intercepted 35,725 litres of petrol (PMS) worth over ₦21.4 million during several operations across the state. Operation Whirlwind was responsible for 14,750 litres, valued at ₦8.85 million, while officers from Kebbi Command seized another 20,975 litres, valued at ₦12.58 million. The fuel was packed in about 1,429 jerry cans and seized at known smuggling areas like Bagudo, Lolo, Tsamiya, Bunza, Dankingari, Kamba, and Zuru/Mahakala.

Matawalle said these seizures show the Customs’ strong commitment under the leadership of the Controller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to stop fuel smuggling, protect the economy, and save government revenue. He explained that fuel smuggling is one of Nigeria’s major problems because it causes scarcity at home and gives smugglers unfair profit. He assured that the seized fuel would be sold legally and that all the money made from the sales would go to the federal government’s account.

The Customs boss, who started work in Kebbi in September 2025, also revealed that the Command’s revenue had grown within a short time. In September, they generated ₦25.6 million, showing a 36 percent increase compared to August. He said this growth came from regular meetings with traders and community members, better monitoring of officers, and stronger cooperation with other security agencies, especially at the Kamba border.

In his first month in office, Matawalle said officers also seized several banned goods. These included 100 bales of second-hand clothes, 444 wraps of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp), 143 sacks of donkey meat, 140 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 100 bags of foreign rice, and 20 jerry cans of vegetable oil. The total value of these seized goods is ₦109.6 million.

In line with Customs’ cooperation with other government bodies, Matawalle handed over the donkey meat to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), represented by Superintendent Muhammad Abdulrazaq. He also handed over the 444 wraps of Cannabis Sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by the State Commander, Rabiu Abdullahi Sokoto.

The Customs Controller explained that teamwork between government agencies is very important for success. He said he has started visiting other security agencies in Kebbi State to improve information sharing and joint operations. He also announced that he will soon tour all border stations including Kamba, Dolekaina, Bagudo, Maje, Sebgana/Tsamiya, and Lolo to check how officers are working and what challenges they face.

He promised that through hard work, innovation, and cooperation, the Kebbi Customs Command will continue to help protect the Nigerian economy and strengthen national security. The press briefing ended with the display of the seized items, witnessed by journalists, security officers, and invited guests.

This latest success in Kebbi is part of the larger national effort to stop fuel smuggling across Nigeria’s borders. In other states, Operation Whirlwind has made similar arrests and seizures worth millions of naira. Smuggling remains a big challenge because many border routes are difficult to monitor, but the Customs Service says it will keep working to close these illegal routes and protect Nigeria’s fuel supply.

Experts believe the Kebbi operation shows that with stronger leadership and collaboration, Customs can make major progress in the fight against smuggling. It also proves that improved community engagement and better coordination with other security agencies can make border operations more effective.

Still, challenges remain. Many smugglers continue to use hidden routes and new tricks to beat security checks. Matawalle said his team will increase patrols, use more intelligence, and work closely with border communities to report suspicious movements. By doing this, he believes Kebbi Command will remain one of the most active and successful Customs units in the country.

The Customs leadership under Controller-General Adeniyi hopes that similar achievements will be repeated across other border states. If this momentum continues, it will help reduce fuel scarcity, improve government revenue, and weaken smuggling networks that damage the economy.

In Kebbi, the message is clear: fuel and goods smuggling will no longer be tolerated. The Nigeria Customs Service says it is ready to use all available tools, including better technology, teamwork, and stronger enforcement, to make sure that Nigeria’s resources benefi t its citizens and not criminals.