The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through Operation Whirlwind, has auctioned 9,125 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized from suspected smugglers operating along the Kebbi-Sokoto axis.
The petroleum products, comprising 365 jerrycans of PMS, had an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦9.125 million.
The public auction, held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the NCS Kebbi Command, followed the interception of the products by Operation Whirlwind Zone B operatives at strategic flashpoints including Kamba, Bagudo, Gwadabawa and Illela.
Speaking at the exercise, the Team Commander, Operation Whirlwind Zone B, who represented the National Coordinator of the operation, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Aliyu, said the seizures demonstrated the commitment of the service to curbing the diversion, smuggling and illicit movement of petroleum products.
He said the interception was carried out based on credible intelligence, adding that the operation remained intelligence-driven in its efforts to protect Nigeria’s petroleum resources from economic saboteurs.
According to him, the auction was also a demonstration of the NCS’ commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of seized petroleum products.
He urged participants and other stakeholders to comply strictly with the established guidelines governing the auction exercise.
The Team Commander warned individuals and groups still involved in the illegal movement and diversion of petroleum products that Operation Whirlwind would continue to pursue and dismantle smuggling networks across its areas of operation.
“Operation Whirlwind remains resolute and intelligence-driven. We will continue to identify, intercept and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate”, he said.
He also appealed to residents of border communities to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information on smuggling activities.
The commander described the fight against smuggling as a collective responsibility requiring the cooperation of communities, security agencies and other stakeholders.
The commander acknowledged the strategic support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), under the leadership of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as well as the technical partnership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs and the management of the service for their continued support for Operation Whirlwind.
The officers and personnel of Operation Whirlwind, alongside collaborating agencies, were equally praised for their professionalism, vigilance, discipline and dedication to tackling smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage.
He assured that the operation would strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement across its operational fronts to safeguard the country’s petroleum resources and protect the economy.