Customs auction 595 jerry-cans of smuggled petrol in Lagos
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone ‘A’, under Operation Whirlwind, intercepted 595 jerrycans of 25 litres of smuggled petroleum products at multiple locations spanning Lagos and key flashpoints in Ogun
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone ‘A’, under Operation Whirlwind, intercepted 595 jerrycans of 25 litres of smuggled petroleum products at multiple locations spanning Lagos and key flashpoints in Ogun State, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, and the Seme-Badagry corridor.
Acting on directives from Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi, the seized fuel was auctioned to the public yesterday at N10,000 per 25-litre jerrycan, in a bid to dismantle criminal networks undermining national security and economic stability.
Speaking at the Customs Training School in Ikeja, Lagos, the national coordinator of the operation, Abubakar Aliyu, stated that the contraband was intercepted over the past four weeks through enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering, and intensified enforcement along major smuggling routes.
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Aliyu emphasized that the seizures aim to protect the nation’s economic interests, strengthen energy security, and prevent petroleum products meant for local consumption from being diverted abroad. He noted that the border corridors at Owode, Seme, and Badagry remain critical economic arteries.
The duty-paid value of the seized Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) stands at ₦14,875,000.50.
Operation Whirlwind, he said, " is a targeted anti-smuggling initiative designed to prevent the illegal movement of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders. Its core aim is to safeguard the nation’s economic interests, strengthen energy security, and ensure that petroleum products intended for local consumption are not unlawfully diverted for export
"Over the past four weeks, acting on credible intelligence, our operatives successfully dismantled a coordinated smuggling network involved in the illegal exportation of PMS to neighboring countries. During this operation, a total of 595 jerry-cans of 25 litres each were intercepted, amounting to 14,875 litres. These seizures were made across key flashpoints, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, and Seme-Badagry.
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"The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized products stands at Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Seven- Five Thousand Naira Only ₦14,875,000. The Seized PMS Products up for auction today were seized through dedicated enforcement operations and reliable intelligence.
"They had been earmarked for illegal export to neighboring country in direct contravention of national laws regulating the distribution and movement of petroleum products."
He emphasised that petroleum smuggling is not a victimless crime.
"It undermines the national economy, deprives the government of vital revenue, disrupts the domestic supply chain, and creates artificial scarcity that negatively impacts citizens.
"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. This auction is being carried out with the participation of relevant government agencies, security personnel, civil society groups, and media representatives to guarantee transparency, accountability, and integrity, in the disposal process," he said.
