The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through Operation Whirlwind, has auctioned 22,175 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intercepted from suspected smugglers operating along the Lagos-Ogun border axis.
The seized petroleum products, contained in 887 jerry cans of 25 litres each, were intercepted at various identified smuggling flashpoints, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and Seme-Badagry.
The public auction was conducted on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking at the exercise, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, said the seizures formed part of the NCS’s intensified efforts to curb the illegal diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products.
Aliyu, who spoke on the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the Service had strengthened surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement operations along major smuggling routes and identified flashpoints.
He disclosed that the seized PMS and five means of conveyance had a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦32.175 million.
According to him, Operation Whirlwind is a targeted anti-smuggling initiative established to prevent the illegal movement and diversion of petroleum products, particularly products meant for domestic consumption.
He said the operation was also aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economic interests, strengthening national energy security and preventing the unlawful movement of petroleum products across the country’s borders.
Aliyu described the public auction as a demonstration of the NCS’s commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of seized petroleum products, in accordance with extant laws and approved procedures.
He urged participants to adhere strictly to the guidelines governing the auction to ensure a fair and transparent exercise.
The National Coordinator commended the Customs management for its support and acknowledged the collaboration of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
He also praised officers and men of Operation Whirlwind Zone A for their diligence, professionalism and commitment to duty.
Aliyu warned those involved in the smuggling and diversion of petroleum products that the operation would remain intelligence-driven and focused on dismantling smuggling networks.
He further appealed to residents of border communities and members of the public to provide credible information on suspicious activities, stressing that public cooperation was crucial to tackling economic sabotage and protecting Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
Also speaking, the Acting Commandant of the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Deputy Comptroller Precious Itah, said the exercise demonstrated the NCS’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling.
Itah cautioned Nigerians against viewing the smuggling of small quantities of petroleum products as insignificant, warning that such activities could cumulatively have serious consequences for the national economy.
She urged members of the public to embrace responsible citizenship and support the Customs Service in safeguarding national resources.
The auction forms part of the NCS’s broader enforcement efforts to prevent the illegal diversion and cross-border movement of petroleum products intended for domestic consumption.
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