The Nigeria Customs Service, Operation Whirlwind, on Tuesday in Ikeja, Lagos, auctioned 14,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as PMS, worth N14.875m, to members of the public.

Addressing journalists during the auction exercise at the Customs Training College, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Abubakar Aliyu, a Deputy Controller of Customs, said that the contraband was intercepted while being exported to a neighbouring country.

He added that the products, which have a duty-paid value of N14.875m, were intercepted within the Lagos/Ogun axis, all within Zone A.

Aliyu added that the Service continues to uphold its constitutional mandate of safeguarding the nation’s economy, protecting vital assets, and tackling all forms of smuggling and economic sabotage.

The coordinator stressed that the efforts of the operation have been significantly intensified through improved surveillance, stronger intelligence operations, and more robust enforcement activities along major routes identified for the illegal diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products.

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.

Giving details of the products, he said they were intercepted within the last four weeks.

“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 neighbouring countries. During this operation, a total of 595 jerrycans 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 of the seized products stands at N14.875m,” Aliyu said.

According to him, the products were seized through dedicated enforcement operations and reliable intelligence.

He explained that the products had been earmarked for illegal export to neighbouring countries in direct contravention of national laws regulating the distribution and movement of petroleum products.

Aliyu highlighted that petroleum smuggling is not a victimless crime, adding that it undermines the national economy, deprives the government of vital revenue, disrupts the domestic supply chain, and creates artificial scarcity that negatively affects citizens.

“Furthermore, it 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,” Aliyu added.

He reiterated that the auction is 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.

“We acknowledge the strategic leadership of the Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu, whose direction has bolstered inter-agency coordination and improved operational efficiency. We also applaud the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for its technical proficiency and regulatory oversight, which help ensure that enforcement measures adhere to best practices while effectively addressing weaknesses in the distribution network,” Aliyu stated.

He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team for what he described as visionary leadership and unwavering support, which have enabled Operation Whirlwind to achieve measurable success.

He warned illegal smugglers of petroleum products that the era of impunity is over, noting that Operation Whirlwind remains determined, proactive, and intelligence-led in its approach: “we will persist in tracking, intercepting, and dismantling smuggling networks wherever they operate.”

He called on members of the public, especially residents of border communities, to continue supporting security agencies by providing accurate and timely information, emphasising that combating smuggling is a shared responsibility, and that public cooperation is crucial in safeguarding the nation’s economic interests.