CUSTOMS INTERCEPTS 20,500 LITRES OF SMUGGLED PETROL, AUCTIONS SEIZED PRODUCTS IN LAGOS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its Operation Whirlwind, has intercepted 20,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and five vehicles allegedly used for smuggling petroleum products to neighbouring countries.
The seized petrol, with the vehicles, has a combined duty-paid value of N38 million and was publicly auctioned in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday.
Speaking during the auction, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Lucky Aliyu, said the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence, leading to the disruption of an organised syndicate involved in the illegal export of petroleum products.
According to him, operatives recovered 820 jerrycans of 25 litres each, amounting to 20,500 litres of PMS, during coordinated operations at major smuggling hotspots, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and the Seme-Badagry corridor.
“In addition to the seized petroleum products, five vehicles used in conveying the products were also intercepted. The combined duty-paid value of the seized PMS and the vehicles was estimated at N38 million,” Aliyu said.
He noted that the intercepted petrol was being transported for illegal export to a neighbouring country in violation of Nigeria’s laws regulating the distribution and movement of petroleum products.
Aliyu said the Customs Service had intensified surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement operations along key smuggling routes to combat economic sabotage and protect the nation’s economy.
He described petroleum smuggling as a major threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security, warning that it deprives the government of revenue, disrupts domestic fuel supply, creates artificial scarcity and fuels criminal activities.
According to him, the public auction of the seized products was conducted in line with legal provisions and the agency’s commitment to transparency, accountability and due process.
“In line with legal provisions and our commitment to transparency, accountability and due process, the seized PMS is being disposed of through this public auction. This ensures that the products are reintegrated into the legitimate domestic supply chain rather than being diverted into illegal channels,” he said.
Aliyu added that the auction was conducted in the presence of relevant government agencies, security personnel, civil society organisations and media representatives to ensure transparency throughout the disposal process.
He commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and also praised the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for its regulatory oversight and technical support.
The Customs officer further lauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing the leadership and resources that have enhanced the effectiveness of Operation Whirlwind nationwide.
He warned individuals and criminal syndicates involved in petroleum smuggling that the Service would continue to identify, intercept, investigate and dismantle illegal networks operating along Nigeria’s borders.
Aliyu urged residents, particularly those in border communities, to support security agencies with credible and timely information, stressing that tackling smuggling requires collective effort.
He reaffirmed that Operation Whirlwind would continue to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance and enforcement operations to safeguard Nigeria’s petroleum resources and protect the country’s economic interests.
Operation Whirlwind is a strategic initiative established by the Federal Government to combat the illegal diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products, with the objective of protecting Nigeria’s energy security, preserving government revenue and ensuring that petroleum products intended for domestic consumption reach legitimate end users.
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