The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has auctioned 22,175 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized during operations against the smuggling of petroleum products along the Lagos-Ogun border corridor.
The auction took place on Monday at the Customs Training College in Ikeja and involved petroleum products intercepted by officers of Operation Whirlwind during recent anti-smuggling operations.
The seized petrol comprised 887 jerry cans, each containing 25 litres, as well as five vehicles allegedly used to transport the products.
According to the Customs Service, the seizures were made at several identified smuggling hotspots, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and Seme-Badagry.
The total Duty Paid Value of the seized petroleum products and vehicles was estimated at approximately ₦32 million.
Speaking at the auction, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Raphael Aliyu, said the exercise was conducted on the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
Aliyu said the auction was part of the Service’s commitment to transparency and the proper disposal of confiscated petroleum products in accordance with the law.
He explained that Operation Whirlwind was established to tackle the illegal movement and diversion of petroleum products through Nigeria’s borders.
According to him, the operation is also aimed at protecting the country’s economic interests and strengthening energy security by preventing petroleum products meant for domestic consumption from being smuggled out of Nigeria.
Aliyu said the Customs Service had intensified surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement operations along routes identified as major channels for petroleum diversion and cross-border smuggling.
He assured that the crackdown would continue, with the operation maintaining a sustained, intelligence-led approach to dismantling smuggling networks.
The Customs official added that suspects arrested in connection with smuggling activities would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He commended personnel of Operation Whirlwind Zone A for their efforts and acknowledged the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Aliyu also appealed to residents of border communities to support the fight against smuggling by providing relevant information on suspicious movements of petroleum products.
He stressed that effective enforcement would require continued cooperation between security agencies, government institutions and communities along Nigeria’s borders.
