The Nigeria Customs Service has auctioned 22,175 litres of Premium Motor Spirit seized along the Lagos-Ogun border.
The auction was held Monday at the Customs Training College, Ikeja. The products, comprising 887 jerry cans of 25 litres each and five vehicles used to convey them, were intercepted by officers of Operation Whirlwind.
According to the Service, the interceptions were made at Imeko, Ilara, Ilaro, Idiroko and Seme-Badagry, with Duty Paid Value estimated at N32 million.
National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Raphael Aliyu, said the exercise was on the directive of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi and reflects transparency in disposal of seized products.
Aliyu described Operation Whirlwind as a targeted initiative to stop diversion and illegal export of products meant for domestic use, protect economic interests and boost energy security.
He said surveillance and intelligence have been stepped up and vowed the operation would remain “resolute, relentless and intelligence-driven,” with suspects prosecuted.
He commended officers in Zone A and acknowledged support from the Office of National Security Adviser and NMDPRA, urging border communities to provide intelligence.
