By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through Operation Whirlwind, on Monday auctioned 20,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized from suspected smugglers in Lagos as part of efforts to curb the illegal diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products.
Speaking during the public auction held at the Customs Training College, Lagos, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Lucky Aliyu, said the exercise was in line with the Service’s mandate to protect the nation’s economy, safeguard critical national assets and combat smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage.
Aliyu disclosed that operatives of the unit, acting on credible intelligence, dismantled a coordinated smuggling network involved in the illegal exportation of PMS to neighbouring countries.
He said the operation resulted in the interception of 820 jerry-cans of 25 litres each, amounting to 20,500 litres of PMS, at major smuggling routes, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and the Seme-Badagry axis.
According to him, five vehicles used in conveying 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 was meant for illegal export in violation of existing 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,” Aliyu said.
He explained that the public auction was conducted in line with legal provisions to promote transparency, accountability and due process, while ensuring that the seized products were returned to the legitimate domestic market instead of finding their way back into illegal channels.
Aliyu commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for strengthening inter-agency collaboration, which he said has improved the effectiveness of Operation Whirlwind.
He also acknowledged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for providing technical support and regulatory oversight to enforcement operations.
The Customs officer further appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs and the management of the Service for providing the operational support needed to sustain the anti-smuggling operation nationwide.
He warned smugglers and criminal syndicates engaged in the illegal movement of petroleum products to desist, stressing that Operation Whirlwind would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to identify, intercept and dismantle smuggling networks operating within and around Nigeria’s borders.
Aliyu also appealed to residents of border communities and members of the public to support security agencies with credible and timely information, describing the fight against petroleum smuggling as a collective responsibility.
“We remain committed to dismantling every network engaged in petroleum smuggling and ensuring that Nigeria’s economic interests are vigorously protected. Together, we will eliminate petroleum smuggling and protect our national economy,” he said.