Customs Auctions 22,175 Litres of PMS Seized Along Lagos-Ogun Axis

By Stella Okocha

The Nigeria Customs Service has auctioned 22,175 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intercepted by operatives of Operation Whirlwind across the Lagos-Ogun axis and other identified border flashpoints.

The public auction was held on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, said the seized petroleum products were intercepted during intelligence-driven operations aimed at disrupting the illegal movement and cross-border smuggling of PMS.

Aliyu, who spoke on the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the seizures comprised 887 jerry cans containing 25 litres of PMS each, bringing the total volume to 22,175 litres.

He said the products were intercepted alongside five means of conveyance during operations conducted at identified flashpoints including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and Seme-Badagry.

According to the National Coordinator, the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized petroleum products and the means of conveyance was ₦32.175 million.

Aliyu said the seizures followed credible and actionable intelligence which enabled Operation Whirlwind operatives to disrupt what he described as a coordinated network involved in the illegal movement and exportation of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.

He explained that Operation Whirlwind was established as a targeted anti-smuggling initiative to curb the illegal movement, diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products, while protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and strengthening national energy security.

The National Coordinator said the auction was part 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.

He urged participants, stakeholders and members of the public to comply with the established guidelines governing the auction to ensure that the exercise was conducted in a fair, orderly and transparent manner.

Aliyu also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs and the management of the Service for their support and strategic direction in the implementation of Operation Whirlwind.

He acknowledged the collaboration of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), while commending officers and men of Operation Whirlwind Zone A, covering the Lagos-Ogun axis, for what he described as their diligence, professionalism and commitment to duty.

Aliyu warned individuals involved in the illegal smuggling, diversion and cross-border movement of petroleum products that Operation Whirlwind would continue to intensify its enforcement activities.

“Operation Whirlwind remains resolute, relentless and intelligence-driven,” he said, adding that the operation would continue to identify and intercept smuggling networks wherever they operate.

He further appealed to members of the public, particularly residents of border communities, to provide timely and credible information on suspicious activities to the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant security and regulatory agencies.

According to him, public cooperation remains critical to the fight against smuggling and economic sabotage.

The National Coordinator assured that Operation Whirlwind would continue to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and enforcement operations across its operational fronts.

He said the effort was aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s petroleum resources, protecting the national economy and ensuring that petroleum products intended for domestic consumption were not unlawfully diverted across the country’s borders.