The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) conducted an auction on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, selling approximately 20,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, at N630 per liter.
The petrol, which had been intercepted from smugglers, was sold to the public at Afoo Filling Station, located in the Masfala area.
Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, officially flagged off the sale and revealed that the petrol had been seized along with 30 kegs, each containing 25 liters, during an attempt to smuggle the products. The total duty-paid value of the seized 30,750 liters was estimated at N42.75 million.
According to Ejibunu, the auction followed a court condemnation order after the goods remained unclaimed. He added that the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashiru Adeniyi, had authorized the sale to enhance public access to fuel during the festive season.
“The government’s commitment is to ensure that citizens receive their entitlements promptly. Auctioning seized goods to Nigerians is part of that effort and aligns with government policy,” Comptroller Ejibunu stated. He also issued a stern warning to smugglers, urging them to cease their illegal activities, as offenders would face prosecution.
Ejibunu recalled a similar operation in Yola, Adamawa State, two months ago, where seized petrol was sold to the public at the regulated price. “In that operation, 25-liter kegs of petrol were auctioned at ₦10,000 each,” he noted, adding that legal proceedings were already underway against a suspect apprehended during that operation.
He urged Nigerians to support the Nigeria Customs Service by providing information on economic saboteurs, assuring that the agency is fully committed to combating smuggling under the leadership of the Comptroller General.
Ejibunu also highlighted the collaboration between the Oyo/Osun Area Command and the Commander of Operation Whirlwind, aimed at boosting security, strengthening the economy, and deterring smuggling activities.
