₦airaland Forum

FG Set To Shut Down Filling Stations After Customs Announces N400/Litre Fuel.


The Nigerian government, through the NMDRA, may close filling stations along access roads to neighbouring countries to curb petroleum product smuggling.
The Nigeria Customs Service is profiling these stations and will hand over findings to the NMDRA for appropriate action, including licence revocation or closure.

In an effort to curb the smuggling of petroleum products, there are compelling signs that the federal government, acting through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDRA), may be considering closing filling stations along access roads to neighbouring nations.
The Nigerian government is reportedly considering shutting down some filling stations to prevent fuel smuggling, after being advised by the NMDRA.

The federal authorities closed more than 400 gas stations located 20 kilometres from the country's borders in 2019 due to the same problem.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, who hinted at this over the weekend, said they had commenced the profiling of petrol stations located on access roads to communities that share borders with neighbouring countries, to try and curb the smuggling of petroleum products.

Although Adeniyi suggested that the findings from the profiling of filling stations would be handed over to the NMDRA for appropriate sanctioning, he added that anyone found to be involved in aiding the activities of smugglers would come under government scrutiny.
Non-compliant Nigerian filling stations could close According to the head of Nigeria Customs, stations that were found to be non-compliant would not only be closed, but their operating licences would also be revoked.
This announcement was made on Friday, May 30, at the Nigeria Customs Training School in the Ikeja district of Lagos while displaying some confiscated PMS items.
Adeniyi, who was represented by Hussein Ejibunu, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, clarified that the goal was to identify fuel stations involved in smuggling by distinguishing those that are active from those that are moribund. “And that is the essence of why we have to identify filling stations that are close to the border, those that are moribund, and those that are active, so that we will know which stations the Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority will grant licences to,” Adeniyi said.
He emphasised that the NMDRA would be contacted for any necessary action if any filling stations were found to be non-compliant. “I have just mentioned that there are many, and those found guilty will be dealt with by the NMDRA.
It’s not for Customs to handle; we are not the ones who issued their licences,” the Comptroller-General stated. NCS suggested that the findings from the profiling of filling stations would be handed over to the NMDRA.

Adeniyi provided details about the seizure, pointing out that eight vehicles used for transportation, as well as 1,577 jerrycans of PMS (25 litres each), totalling 39,425 litres, were taken into custody. “The duty paid value of the product stands at N39.425 million, and that of the means of conveyance stands at N24 million, cumulatively amounting to N63.425 million,” he said. Insiders in uniform aid smuggling trade - Border security expert alleges A border security expert has described the Federal Government’s plan to shut down filling stations near Nigeria’s borders as “well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective” in the fight against fuel smuggling.
Adeyemi Isaac Adekitan, who has firsthand experience with fuel smuggling operations, told Legit.ng that it: “Is not just a criminal act, it is an entire underground economy with well-organized operations, structured hierarchies, and a wide network of collaborators.” “Smuggling operations function like a business, with logistics, supply chains, and ‘staff’ on payroll,” he said, noting that “complicity often extends to some members of security agencies who are supposed to enforce border laws.” “The profit from aiding smugglers can far outweigh official salaries, creating strong incentives for corruption. Some officials are even direct participants in the trade,” Adekitan added. He further criticised the government’s enforcement strategy within a fixed kilometer radius from the border as “impractical, particularly in vast border localities,” citing that “a filling station can be legally located 100km from the border and still act as a hub for smuggling operations.” Expert recommends reform, intelligence over crackdowns To effectively combat fuel smuggling while protecting legitimate businesses, Adekitan said Nigeria needs “deep structural, institutional, and attitudinal reform.”
He emphasised that, “There must be an overhaul of security agency operations at the borders, with strict accountability measures and real consequences for collusion or corruption.”
He also noted that “border communities must be reoriented through targeted economic alternatives and civic education,” explaining that “to many residents, smuggling is not a crime but a way of life” because “they share culture, language, and family ties with people on the other side of the border.” Adekitan further stressed the importance of: “Investing in drone technology, satellite surveillance, and community-based intelligence networks to monitor illegal fuel movement in real time.” He cautioned that the government should “avoid blanket policies that penalize legitimate business owners” and instead conduct risk-based assessments to enforce compliance without harming local economies. “Fuel smuggling cannot be curbed by brute-force policies alone,” he noted, calling for a multifaceted approach that addresses “both the economic incentives driving smuggling and the institutional failures enabling it.” Adekitan, however, clarified that his opinions are personal and do not represent the views of any organisations he is affiliated with.

Nigeria Customs authorises auction of confiscated fuel Earlier, Adeniyi had authorised the immediate auction of confiscated petrol at a discounted price of N10,000 per 25-litre jerrycan. This means a litre of the petrol would be sold at N400/litre. The product was seized over the weekend by the agency’s task force, Operation Whirlwind, which confiscated petrol valued at over N63 million in the Lagos-Ogun axis, as reported by Daily Sun. National Coordinator, Ejibunu, praised the seizure as a significant victory in the battle against economic sabotage during a press briefing at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos, over the weekend. NNPC, Dangote refinery’s partners reduce costs Legit.ng also reported that petrol price battles between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had led to reductions in filling station prices.

Nigeria Customs authorises auction of confiscated fuel Earlier, Adeniyi had authorised the immediate auction of confiscated petrol at a discounted price of N10,000 per 25-litre jerrycan. This means a litre of the petrol would be sold at N400/litre.

All these bloggers wey no go school, always writing babablu..

Ah that will be a good move

Rexymania:
Ah that will be a good move

Why do you feel is a good move?

It's said that petrol has been deregulated so it's the seller and buyer's deal. Why is the government interested in what happens at the border since it's paying no subsidy and people are currently paying full price for petrol and can decide what to do with it.

Before you tell me that it's cheaper in Nigeria, kindly note that it's one of the benefits of lower exchange rates. It makes export cheaper and should attract capital inflows. I don't really understand how Nigeria works honestly.

I can have issues with this if we're still under subsidy regime but since it's the reverse, I see no reason government should have a problem with it provided it has no security implications

michlins:
It's said that petrol has been deregulated so it's the seller and buyer's deal. Why is the government interested in what happens at the border since it's paying no subsidy and people are currently paying full price for petrol and can decide what to do with it.

Before you tell me that it's cheaper in Nigeria, kindly note that it's one of the benefits of lower exchange rates. It makes export cheaper and should attract capital inflows. I don't really understand how Nigeria works honestly.

I can have issues with this if we're still under subsidy regime but since it's the reverse, I see no reason government should have a problem with it provided it has no security implications

APC lie-lie government is still paying subsidy secretly

A young customs officer exposed fuel smuggling at the border and was arrested instead so stop with the shenanigans. When you guys are ready, smuggling at the border will end

michlins:
It's said that petrol has been deregulated so it's the seller and buyer's deal. Why is the government interested in what happens at the border since it's paying no subsidy and people are currently paying full price for petrol and can decide what to do with it.

Before you tell me that it's cheaper in Nigeria, kindly note that it's one of the benefits of lower exchange rates. It makes export cheaper and should attract capital inflows. I don't really understand how Nigeria works honestly.

I can have issues with this if we're still under subsidy regime but since it's the reverse, I see no reason government should have a problem with it provided it has no security implications

Educate them my brother.


They think national economics and running a nation is like running a cocoa farm


National economy and everything that has to do with trade and economics is beyond their brain capacity, but they will never agree yet take a look at how they have wrecked Nigeria's economy in under 2 years

michlins:
It's said that petrol has been deregulated so it's the seller and buyer's deal. Why is the government interested in what happens at the border since it's paying no subsidy and people are currently paying full price for petrol and can decide what to do with it.

Before you tell me that it's cheaper in Nigeria, kindly note that it's one of the benefits of lower exchange rates. It makes export cheaper and should attract capital inflows. I don't really understand how Nigeria works honestly.

I can have issues with this if we're still under subsidy regime but since it's the reverse, I see no reason government should have a problem with it provided it has no security implications

This one does not know the meaning of smuggling, go school, they say no.

This isn't fair.

There is nothing like smuggling with full regulations except Nigeria is paying for subsidy. If a resident of the Niger Republic living at the border wants petrol, he should be able to get it at the Nigerian pump price.

Is the Federal Government subsidising the pump price and fighting off extending them to neighbouring countries?

Putindbutt:
This one does not know the meaning of smuggling, go school, they say no.

petrol isn't an illegal product. Some level of free trade exists between Nigeria and her neighbors. What exactly is the smuggling doing in your sentence?

The day one custom Man wan Remove fuel from my full tank cux I wan cross border.. I show them pepper

michlins:
It's said that petrol has been deregulated so it's the seller and buyer's deal. Why is the government interested in what happens at the border since it's paying no subsidy and people are currently paying full price for petrol and can decide what to do with it.

Before you tell me that it's cheaper in Nigeria, kindly note that it's one of the benefits of lower exchange rates. It makes export cheaper and should attract capital inflows. I don't really understand how Nigeria works honestly.

I can have issues with this if we're still under subsidy regime but since it's the reverse, I see no reason government should have a problem with it provided it has no security implications

Why is the government interested in combating smuggling? Are you a developer?

franchasng:
Educate them my brother.


They think national economics and running a nation is like running a cocoa farm


National economy and everything that has to do with trade and economics is beyond their brain capacity, but they will never agree yet take a look at how they have wrecked Nigeria's economy in under 2 years

It's actually hilarious how you developers think (if I may call what you do that). So because govt is no longer paying subsidy, they shouldn't combat smuggling? Let me explain it in a simpler way (if your petty trader mind can understand it). If govt doesn't stop the smuggling, there will be shortage of product for consumers in Nigeria, which may lead to a further increase in local prices. I know at that point it's still this same you developers that'll go "boo hoo Nigerians are suffering for petrol that is refined here because govt dey allow it to be smuggled to other countries boo hoo". You know, the wailing you guys so much cherish. I always advise that anything more complex than petty buying and selling you lot should avoid it because it's beyond your reasoning capacity.

MadamExcellency:
There is nothing like smuggling with full regulations except Nigeria is paying for subsidy. If a resident of the Niger Republic living at the border wants petrol, he should be able to get it at the Nigerian pump price.

Is the Federal Government subsidising the pump price and fighting off extending them to neighbouring countries?

Smh. Reasoning in the mud (in more ways than one).

Brenbentondiaz:
Why is the government interested in combating smuggling? Are you a developer?

why is everything about your kind based on hate?

Is petrol a contraband and why should it be associated with smuggling.

Is your common sense clouded by tribalism?

michlins:
It's said that petrol has been deregulated so it's the seller and buyer's deal. Why is the government interested in what happens at the border since it's paying no subsidy and people are currently paying full price for petrol and can decide what to do with it.

Before you tell me that it's cheaper in Nigeria, kindly note that it's one of the benefits of lower exchange rates. It makes export cheaper and should attract capital inflows. I don't really understand how Nigeria works honestly.

I can have issues with this if we're still under subsidy regime but since it's the reverse, I see no reason government should have a problem with it provided it has no security implications

I’ve always thought this when reading these issues. The government should even be encouraging this as exports and can make money from charging a small export duty. Formalise agreements with governments of the respective border countries and get these ex-smugglers to use official border posts via trucks instead of smuggling in Jerry cans so they can increase margins.

Customs is just not updating their protocol to the post subsidy era, and the FG needs to step in to direct them accordingly.

michlins:
petrol isn't an illegal product. Some level of free trade exists between Nigeria and her neighbors. What exactly is the smuggling doing in your sentence?

So rice is an illegal product? Probably why it's said to be smuggled. Wait wait! Lemme me give another example of an illegal product. Cars. That's why you can be arrested for driving a car in Nigeria. Sorry I want to ask a question: does sitting in a 2 by 2 shop or hawking gala in the sun lead to brain malfunction?

Brenbentondiaz:
It's actually hilarious how you developers think (if I may call what you do that). So because govt is no longer paying subsidy, they shouldn't combat smuggling? Let me explain it in a simpler way (if your petty trader mind can understand it). If govt doesn't stop the smuggling, there will be shortage of product for consumers in Nigeria, which may lead to a further increase in local prices. I know at that point it's still this same you developers that'll go "boo hoo Nigerians are suffering for petrol that is refined here because govt dey allow it to be smuggled to other countries boo hoo". You know, the wailing you guys so much cherish. I always advise that anything more complex than petty buying and selling you lot should avoid it because it's beyond your reasoning capacity.

I said it that your cocoa farm understanding of business won't let you understand global economics.


Listen, every country's wish is to export more than they import to balance their foreign trade deficit.

Nigeria now have a big refinery that needs to help us earn more FOREX to balance some of our trade deficit.



Now if truly your APC lying and propaganda government have stopped paying petrol subsidy (of course they have not), they wouldn't be bothered about Nigerians exporting petrol to neighboring countries to earn FX. They will rather focus on legalizing the process of selling petrol to neighboring countries to boost our forex income.



What their action tells you is that Tinubu's lying and propaganda government is still paying petrol subsidy through the backdoor, it may not be as huge as before but he is paying subsidy, so rest biko

And some fooools will believe this
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

So customs are the ones that set prices of petroleum products.😂😂😂😂😂😃

O forgot they are regulators of the industry.

Nairaland is becoming a joke.