The Nigeria Customs Service, Operation Whirlwind, has auctioned 22,175 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, intercepted from smugglers along the Lagos-Ogun border axis.
The auction took place on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, following the seizure of 887 jerrycans of 25 litres each and five vehicles used by smugglers, with a combined Duty Paid Value of N32,175,000.
Addressing journalists, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Aliyu, said the seizures were made across flashpoints including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and Seme-Badagry.
“Today’s auction is a clear demonstration of the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of seized petroleum products, in accordance with extant laws, regulations and approved procedures,” Aliyu said.
He said the Service has intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering to prevent diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption.
Aliyu commended the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, for their support, and praised officers of Operation Whirlwind Zone A for their diligence.
He warned smugglers that they would be caught, saying, “Operation Whirlwind remains resolute, relentless and intelligence-driven. We will continue to identify, intercept and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate.”
He appealed to border communities to provide timely information, noting that the fight against smuggling is a collective responsibility.
