Nigeria Customs Auctions 14,875 Litres of Seized Petrol Worth N14.8 Million in Lagos
The Nigeria Customs Service has successfully auctioned 14,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, with a total value of N14.875 million to the public in Lagos. This significant operation was conducted after the fuel was intercepted from smugglers attempting to illegally transport it across borders.
Operation Whirlwind Leads to Major Seizure
The auction exercise took place on Tuesday at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos, as part of Operation Whirlwind, a targeted initiative aimed at curbing the illegal cross-border movement of petroleum products. According to officials, the petrol was seized while being smuggled to neighbouring countries, violating national laws governing petroleum distribution.
Speaking during the auction, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Abubakar Aliyu, provided detailed insights into the seizure operations. He explained that the products, with a duty-paid value of N14.875 million, were intercepted within the Lagos and Ogun states axis in Zone A over the past four weeks. "Over the past four weeks, acting on credible intelligence, our operatives successfully dismantled a coordinated smuggling network involved in the illegal exportation of PMS," Aliyu stated.
Details of the Seizure and Auction Process
Aliyu disclosed that a total of 595 jerrycans, amounting to 14,875 litres of PMS, were intercepted across key border communities, including:
- Imeko
- Ilara
- Ilaro
- Idiroko
- Seme-Badagry
The seized fuel was auctioned to reintegrate it into the domestic market and prevent diversion into illegal channels. To ensure transparency and accountability, the auction process involved relevant government agencies, security personnel, civil society organisations, and the media.
Economic and Security Implications of Fuel Smuggling
Aliyu warned that petroleum smuggling poses serious threats to Nigeria's economy and national security. He highlighted that such activities:
- Deprive the government of much-needed revenue
- Disrupt supply chains and create artificial scarcity
- Fuel criminal networks and pose risks to national security
"Operation Whirlwind is a targeted initiative aimed at curbing the illegal cross-border movement of petroleum products and safeguarding Nigeria's energy security," Aliyu emphasized. He acknowledged the crucial role of the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Nuhu Ribadu, in strengthening coordination among agencies, and commended the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for its regulatory support.
Customs Issues Stern Warning to Smugglers
Aliyu issued a stern warning to smugglers, stating that security agencies would continue to track and dismantle smuggling networks across the country. He urged residents of border communities to support enforcement efforts by providing timely and accurate information, stressing that tackling smuggling requires collective responsibility.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, was also praised for providing leadership that has enhanced the operation's effectiveness. This auction follows earlier reports from the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone 'A' in Ikeja, which seized prohibited items valued at N3.32 billion across Lagos and neighbouring areas, including thousands of bags of foreign rice and a large consignment of synthetic drugs.
The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to combating illegal activities that threaten the nation's economic stability and security, with Operation Whirlwind serving as a key component in these efforts.
