The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Operation Whirlwind on Monday auctioned 20,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized from suspected smugglers, reaffirming its commitment to combating the illegal diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products.
Speaking during the public auction of the seized products at the Customs Training College in Lagos, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Lucky Aliyu, said the exercise was in line with the Service’s constitutional mandate to safeguard the nation’s economy, protect critical assets and tackle all forms of smuggling and economic sabotage.
According to him, operatives of the unit, acting on credible intelligence dismantled a coordinated smuggling network involved in the illegal exportation of PMS to neighbouring countries.
He disclosed that the operation led to the interception of 820 jerry-cans of 25 litres each, amounting to 20,500 litres of PMS, across major smuggling flashpoints including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and the Seme-Badagry axis.
Aliyu added that five vehicles used to transport the products were also seized, bringing the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the petroleum products and vehicles to about N38 million.
He noted that the seized PMS being auctioned had been earmarked for illegal export in contravention of national laws regulating the distribution and movement of petroleum products.
“Petroleum smuggling remains a serious threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security. It deprives the government of critical revenue, distorts the domestic supply chain, encourages artificial scarcity, fuels criminal enterprises and undermines the gains of ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector. The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to confront these criminal activities with unwavering determination,” he said.
The coordinator explained that the public auction was conducted in accordance with legal provisions to ensure transparency, accountability and due process, while allowing the seized products to be returned to the legitimate domestic supply chain instead of finding their way back into illegal channels.
Aliyu commended the Office of the National Security Adviser under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for its leadership and commitment to inter-agency collaboration, which he said had enhanced the effectiveness of Operation Whirlwind.
He also acknowledged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for providing technical expertise and regulatory oversight that supports enforcement operations and strengthens the petroleum distribution network.
Aliyu also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs and the management team for providing the operational support and resources required to sustain Operation Whirlwind across the country.
He warned individuals and criminal syndicates engaged in petroleum smuggling to desist, stressing that Operation Whirlwind would remain intelligence-driven, proactive and uncompromising in identifying, intercepting and dismantling smuggling networks operating within and around Nigeria’s borders.
He appealed to residents of border communities and members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information, describing the fight against smuggling as a collective responsibility.
“We remain committed to dismantling every network engaged in petroleum smuggling and ensuring that Nigeria’s economy interests are vigorously protected. Together, we will eliminate petroleum smuggling and protect our national economy, ” he said.
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