By Titilope Adako
The fuel crisis in Niger Republic has escalated as over 400 petrol stations in Nigeria’s border communities remain shut, with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) insisting the ban will not be lifted despite mounting complaints from marketers.
For nearly four years, independent oil marketers operating within 20km of Nigeria’s borders have been out of business following a government directive aimed at curbing petrol smuggling.
The NCS on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing crackdown under Operation Whirlwind, citing Niger’s worsening fuel scarcity and rising smuggling attempts.
Speaking in an interview with Punch, the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, said, “You can see us everywhere seizing smuggled fuel, whether in Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, or Seme. Operation Whirlwind is one of our most successful operations. We will not allow fuel to leave Nigeria illegally.”
He added, “We are also prosecuting the smugglers. In Adamawa, for instance, we have suspects being taken to court.”
When asked about the fate of petrol stations in border towns, Maiwada was firm: “Yes, they remain shut.”
Oil marketers have expressed frustration over the prolonged ban, which was introduced in 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, criticised the policy, saying, “Over 400 stations have remained closed, leaving their owners idle.
However, the National Security Adviser’s office and the NMDPRA are working on reopening them.”
He argued that since customs is already tackling smuggling, the stations should be allowed to resume operations.
“Under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), customs has no power to seal petrol stations. Their role is to seize any truck smuggling fuel across the border,” Ukadike stated.
The fuel crisis in Niger worsened last week, pushing petrol prices to as high as N8,000 per litre.
In response, Nigeria approved the supply of 300 fuel trucks to the neighbouring country despite ongoing diplomatic tensions.
Maazou Oumani Aboubacar, Commercial Director of Niger’s state oil company Sonidep, confirmed that up to 50 per cent of Niger’s fuel market had previously been supplied through smuggling from Nigeria.
KoikiMedia Bringing the World 🌍 Closer to Your Doorstep