Nigeria’s National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has reported a significant decrease in petrol (PMS) distribution to border states.

Group CEO Mele Kyari credited the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) “Operation Whirlwind” for this drop.

He made this claim when he paid a courtesy visit to Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Abuja.

According to the NNPC, daily petrol supplies to border areas have fallen by 7 million liters in just two months, going from 32 million liters to 25 million liters. This suggests a potential reduction in petrol smuggling across Nigerian borders.

A statement by NNPC on Friday revealed that Kyari said the evacuation of PMS, also known as petrol, dropped from 32 million litres per day to about 25 million litres amid customs’ anti-smuggling operations.

“During the visit, Kyari particularly commended the rapid impact of the NCS’ “Operation Whirlwind” in reducing the smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit (also known as petrol) across Nigeria’s border communities, with PMS evacuation to border states now decreasing from 32 million liters per day to about 25 million liters within just two months,” NNPC said.

“Both parties pledged to strengthen collaboration in sustaining the onslaught against cross-border smuggling, so as to attain Nigeria’s energy security.”

Customs launched ‘Operation Whirlwind’ on May 27 to end the smuggling of petroleum products outside Nigeria.

While NNPC’s report highlights a positive initial impact, further investigation is needed. This includes:

• Assessing the impact of reduced supply on local petrol availability in border states.

• Verifying if the decrease in supply translates to a corresponding drop in smuggling volumes.

• Determining the long-term effectiveness of Operation Whirlwind and potential adjustments needed.

NNPC and NCS’s collaboration to tackle petrol smuggling is a welcome development. Monitoring the situation and addressing potential unintended consequences will be crucial in ensuring a sustainable solution

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