Nigeria Maintains Shutdown of Over 400 Border Fuel Stations Since 2019 to Combat Smuggling, Despite Protests from Oil Marketers and Worsening Fuel Crisis in Niger Republic
The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its decision to keep over 400 filling stations near the country’s borders shut, a measure originally implemented in 2019 to combat petrol smuggling into neighboring nations. Despite protests from independent oil marketers over financial losses, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) insists the closures will remain in place.
The crackdown, enforced under Operation Whirlwind, comes amid severe fuel shortages in Niger Republic, where petrol prices have surged to between N2,500 and N8,000 per liter. The scarcity has raised concerns about renewed smuggling attempts, but Customs authorities stress that they are actively seizing smuggled fuel and prosecuting offenders.
Customs: No Respite for Smugglers
Addressing the issue on Monday, NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada made it clear that the agency would not back down.
“You can see us everywhere seizing smuggled fuel—be it in Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Seme, everywhere. Operation Whirlwind is one of our most successful operations, and we will not allow fuel to leave Nigeria illegally,” he stated.
He further confirmed that border-area filling stations would remain closed, reinforcing the government’s commitment to cutting off illegal fuel routes.
Marketers Demand Reopening of Border Fuel Stations
While the government maintains that the ban is essential to Nigeria’s economic security, independent oil marketers argue that it has devastated businesses and led to job losses.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, called for an urgent review of the policy. He argued that since the subsidy has been removed, the shutdown is no longer necessary.
“Over 400 stations have been out of business since 2019. These marketers were granted licenses by the government, only for their operations to be crippled by this ban. If the goal was to stop smuggling, it has been achieved. Now, it’s time to lift the restriction and allow normal business operations,” Ukadike said.
He also pointed out that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) does not empower Customs to shut down filling stations, stating that their role should be limited to intercepting fuel trucks attempting to cross the border.
Niger Republic Faces Fuel Crisis Amid Nigeria’s Restrictions
For years, Nigeria was a major indirect supplier of petrol to Niger Republic, with smugglers providing up to 50% of the country’s fuel demand. However, following President Bola Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal in May 2023 and the continued border enforcement by Customs, Niger has been plunged into a fuel crisis.
The country’s only refinery, located in Zinder, is unable to meet local demand, exacerbating the situation. Last week, fuel shortages reached critical levels, crippling economic activities in Niamey and other regions.
Despite strained diplomatic relations, Niger’s Junta-led government recently appealed to Nigeria for assistance. The Federal Government responded by approving the supply of 300 truckloads of petrol to the country.
Balancing Economic Security and Business Survival
While the government remains firm on preventing fuel smuggling, affected businesses and communities near the borders continue to bear the brunt of the shutdown. With the subsidy era over, industry stakeholders are urging authorities to rethink the policy to protect legitimate businesses while maintaining security at the borders.
For now, the ban remains in force, and fuel stations in border areas will stay closed indefinitely.
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