Customs auctions 20,500 litres of seized petrol, impounds vehicles worth N38 million in crackdown on smugglers

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has auctioned 20,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized from suspected smugglers along the Zone A border corridor. The fuel, valued at about N38 million, along with five vehicles, was being illegally transported to neighbouring countries.

Operation Whirlwind intercepts smuggled fuel

The NCS, through its Operation Whirlwind, auctioned the fuel at a public event in Ikeja. The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Lucky Aliyu, said the operation followed credible intelligence that led to the dismantling of an organised network involved in the illegal transportation of petrol.

Aliyu disclosed that Customs operatives intercepted 820 jerrycans containing 25 litres of petrol each, bringing the total volume of seized fuel to 20,500 litres. He explained that the seizures were made at major smuggling routes, including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, and the Seme-Badagry corridor.

Vehicles impounded, duty-paid value estimated at N38 million

Officers also impounded five vehicles used to transport the products. The combined duty-paid value of the seized petrol and vehicles is estimated at about N38 million. Investigations revealed the fuel was being moved for illegal export across Nigeria's borders, in violation of existing laws regulating the distribution and movement of petroleum products.

Customs vows to intensify crackdown on economic sabotage

Aliyu said the Customs Service has stepped up surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement operations to curb petroleum smuggling. He described the crime as a major threat to Nigeria's economy and national security. He explained that the illicit trade deprives the government of revenue, disrupts the domestic fuel supply chain, creates artificial scarcity, strengthens criminal networks and weakens ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector.

The Customs official stressed that Operation Whirlwind would continue to target smugglers and dismantle illegal supply chains across the country's border communities. Aliyu said the seized petrol was auctioned in line with legal provisions to ensure the products are returned to the legitimate domestic market instead of finding their way back into illegal channels.

He added that representatives of government agencies, security organisations, civil society groups and the media participated in the exercise to guarantee transparency and accountability throughout the disposal process. The Customs coordinator also urged residents of border communities and members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence that would help combat smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage.

For consumers and Nigerian businesses, this seizure shows the government is serious about stopping fuel smuggling that drives up domestic prices and creates artificial scarcity. A tighter border means more petrol stays in Nigeria, which could help stabilise pump prices and improve supply in the local market.