Over 400 filling stations located in Nigeria’s border communities have remained shut since 2019 following a Federal Government directive aimed at halting the smuggling of petrol to neighbouring nations.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reaffirmed on Monday that these stations would remain closed, despite protests from independent oil marketers over revenue losses.
The Customs agency stated that it would continue its crackdown on fuel smugglers through its ongoing operation, codenamed “Operation Whirlwind,” particularly due to the escalating petrol scarcity in neighbouring Niger Republic.
A recent report by Sunday PUNCH revealed that fuel shortages in Niger Republic have driven prices to an estimated N8,000 per litre, raising concerns that smugglers might attempt to transport Nigerian petrol across the border illegally.
However, the NCS has vowed to maintain strict surveillance to prevent such activities. Speaking in an interview, NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada emphasized that authorities were aggressively targeting fuel smugglers and ensuring that the country’s subsidized petrol does not leave Nigeria unlawfully.
“You can see us everywhere seizing smuggled fuel, whether in Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, or Seme. If there’s any operation we have successfully executed, it is ‘Operation Whirlwind.’ We are really on them and will not allow fuel to get out of Nigeria illegally,” Maiwada said.
He further disclosed that not only is the Customs Service seizing smuggled fuel, but it is also prosecuting key figures behind the illicit trade. “In Adamawa, for instance, there are some suspects that we are taking to court. Apart from seizing the products, we are ensuring that those responsible for this act are prosecuted,” he added.
When asked about the status of the filling stations located within 20 kilometers of the border, Maiwada confirmed that they would remain shut indefinitely.
The closure stems from a policy initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, which restricted petrol supply within border communities to curb large-scale smuggling.
Nigeria shares land borders with Niger Republic in the north, Benin Republic in the west, Cameroon in the east, and Chad in the northeast, all of which have multiple illegal routes frequently exploited by smugglers.
The Buhari administration argued that subsidized petrol meant for Nigerians was being diverted to neighbouring countries, increasing the country’s financial burden.
While the policy initially reduced smuggling, the real impact on countries like Niger Republic was not fully felt until May 29, 2023, when President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidies.
Since then, Niger Republic has been grappling with an unprecedented fuel crisis, with filling stations in Niamey and other cities running out of petrol. For years, the country relied on Nigeria for roughly 50 percent of its fuel supply, much of it smuggled across the border.
The sharp increase in fuel prices following subsidy removal has made smuggling less profitable for illicit traders.
Despite supporting the government’s anti-smuggling efforts, petroleum marketers have voiced frustration over the prolonged closure of border filling stations.
Many argue that these businesses have collapsed, leading to substantial financial losses and massive job cuts in a country already struggling with high unemployment rates.
“It’s been six years of losses for independent marketers operating in these regions. These stations were built with huge investments, and now they have been left to rot,” one marketer lamented.
While Customs remains firm in its stance, affected business owners and stakeholders continue to call for a reassessment of the situation to find a balance between combating smuggling and preserving legitimate economic activities in border communities.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
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