By ebosele@hotmail.com
Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 14,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also identified as petrol.
Briefing Journalists on Tuesday in Lagos during the public auction at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Abubakar Aliyu disclosed that a total of 595 jerry-cans of 25 litres each, amounting to 14,875 litres were intercepted across key flashpoints, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, and Seme-Badagry.
According to him, the seized products valued at N14.8 million will be auctioned to the public in demonstration of the Service’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He Aliyu said the operation which lasted four weeks was carried out through credible intelligence and dedicated enforcement operations.
“Operation Whirlwind 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. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized products stands at ₦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 countries in direct contravention of national laws regulating the distribution and movement of petroleum products, ” he said. Aliyu emphasized that petroleum smuggling is not a victimless crime but undermines the national economy, deprives the government of vital revenue, disrupts the domestic supply chain, and creates artificial scarcity that negatively impacts citizens.
He added that it also fuels criminal networks that threaten national security and economic stability. “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, ” he said.
Aliyu warned those still involved in the illegal diversion of petroleum products, stating that the era of impunity is over.
Restating that Operation Whirlwind remains proactive and intelligence-led, the coordinator called on the public, particularly residents of border communities, to support Customs and other security agencies’ efforts by providing timely and accurate information to safeguard Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
According to Aliyu, the 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.
