Customs Auctions N32.1m Seized Petrol, Vehicles In Ikeja

By Samuel Egbewole

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has auctioned 22,175 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized by Operation Whirlwind along the Lagos-Ogun axis, alongside five vehicles used in smuggling, with a combined Duty Paid Value of N32.1 million.

The auction was conducted on Monday at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos, on the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.

Speaking at the exercise, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, said the auction was part of the Service’s efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of seized petroleum products.

Aliyu disclosed that the seized PMS comprised 887 jerry cans, each containing 25 litres, totalling 22,175 litres.

He said the products and means of conveyance were intercepted at identified smuggling flashpoints, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and Seme-Badagry, following credible and actionable intelligence.

According to him, the seizures were the result of targeted enforcement operations aimed at disrupting the illegal movement, diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.

*L-R: Acting Commandant, Customs Training College, Ikeja, Deputy Comptroller Patience Ita; Coordinator, Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu; and Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Anthony Oguntuase, during the auction of 22,175 litres of seized petrol worth N32.1 million in Lagos on Monday.

Aliyu said Operation Whirlwind had intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering along routes identified as vulnerable to petroleum smuggling, stressing that the measures were aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and energy security.

He also urged participants in the auction to comply with the established guidelines to ensure a fair and orderly process.

The National Coordinator commended the Customs management, as well as the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, for their support and collaboration in the anti-smuggling campaign.

He warned smugglers and those involved in the diversion of petroleum products that Operation Whirlwind would continue to deploy intelligence-led enforcement against their activities.

Aliyu also appealed to border communities to provide timely and credible information on suspicious activities, stressing that combating smuggling required collective effort.

The Acting Commandant of the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Deputy Comptroller Patience Ita, said the Comptroller-General maintained zero tolerance for the smuggling of petroleum products and other goods.

Ita, who hosted the auction, said the exercise should serve as a warning to smugglers, noting that even small-scale diversion of petroleum products could negatively affect the national economy.