Customs Auctions 20,500 Litres of Seized Petrol, Warns Smugglers of Tougher Crackdown

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through Operation Whirlwind, has auctioned 20,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized from suspected smugglers operating within the Zone A axis.

Speaking during the public auction in Ikeja on Monday, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Lucky Aliyu, said the fuel was intercepted following intelligence-led operations that dismantled a coordinated network involved in the illegal export of petrol to neighbouring countries.

According to Aliyu, the operation led to the seizure of 820 jerrycans of 25 litres each across Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, and Seme Badagry. Five vehicles used for transporting the products were also impounded, with the combined duty paid value of the fuel and vehicles estimated at ₦38 million.

He explained that petroleum smuggling poses a major threat to Nigeria’s economy by reducing government revenue, disrupting local fuel supply, creating artificial scarcity, and financing criminal activities.

Aliyu noted that the seized petrol was auctioned publicly in line with legal provisions to ensure transparency and return the products to the legitimate domestic market. He added that the exercise was witnessed by security agencies, government officials, civil society organisations, and the media.

He commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for their support in strengthening anti-smuggling operations.

Aliyu warned smugglers that Operation Whirlwind would continue to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance, and enforcement across Nigeria’s borders, while urging residents of border communities to support security agencies with timely and credible information to curb petroleum smuggling.

Source: Punch Newspaper