The Nigeria Customs Service has auctioned 20,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intercepted within the Zone A axis as part of its ongoing anti-smuggling drive under Operation Whirlwind.

The exercise was announced by the Service, with officials stating that the fuel was recovered during intelligence-led operations aimed at stopping the illegal diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption.

According to Customs, Operation Whirlwind was set up to dismantle networks involved in smuggling PMS across Nigeria’s borders. Rather than allow seized products to go to waste or be re-diverted, the Service disposes of them through transparent public auctions so they can re-enter the legitimate market.

The latest auction in Zone A follows a similar exercise carried out on March 31, 2026, where 14,875 litres of seized petrol in 595 jerrycans were sold to the public in Lagos and Ogun State at N10,000 per 25-litre jerrycan. Customs officials said those seizures were made along key flashpoints including Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko, and the Seme-Badagry corridor.

Officials explained that the auctions are conducted with representatives of relevant agencies present, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the media, to ensure transparency and accountability.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, DCG Abubakar Aliyu, has repeatedly stressed that the operation is focused on protecting the nation’s energy security and economic interests. He noted that smuggling not only deprives government of revenue but also creates artificial scarcity and fuels criminal networks.

Zone A covers Lagos, Ogun and other major border corridors in the South-West, which remain critical routes for both legitimate trade and smuggling activities. Customs said it will continue to intensify surveillance and enforcement along these corridors.