The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to auction 14,375 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, confiscated from smugglers attempting to move the product across the border into Cameroon.
The fuel was intercepted by the NCS Special Anti-Smuggling Taskforce, known as Operation Whirlwind, during an operation in the Calabar area.

Speaking to journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, the National Coordinator of the task force in Zone C, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Aliyu, said the seized fuel has a Duty Paid Value estimated at about N14.37 million.

Aliyu explained that the seizure followed intelligence-led operations carried out over several weeks, which exposed a coordinated network involved in transporting petrol illegally out of Nigeria.

According to him, operatives recovered 235 jerrycans containing 25 litres each, alongside 40 drums with a capacity of 200 litres each, bringing the total volume of the seized petrol to 14,375 litres.

He said the interceptions were carried out through continuous monitoring and targeted enforcement actions at known smuggling routes, including Ikang, Bakassi, Ikom and Ikot-Idareka.
Aliyu added that the petrol was being diverted for unlawful export, an act that violates Nigerian laws regulating the distribution and movement of petroleum products.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting the country’s economy and preventing activities that threaten legitimate trade.

Also speaking, the Zone C Area Comptroller, Momodu Dauda, said the operation reflects the service’s determination to enforce regulations and curb smuggling activities that could harm Nigeria’s economic interests.