The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has started selling 94,550 litres of petrol at a reduced price of N630 per litre in Adamawa State.
This sale follows the seizure of the fuel, worth N75,450,900.00, by the Customs’ anti-smuggling unit.
The launch took place in Yola, led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller Olaniyi Olajogun.
Adeniyi explained that this initiative aims to tackle smuggling, which he sees as a major problem for Nigeria’s economy.
The seized petrol was taken by the Petroleum Products Anti-Smuggling Team, known as ‘Operation Whirlwind,’ from various locations in the state.
Adeniyi mentioned that two trucks carrying 33,000 litres of petrol each, along with 12 drums and 1,046 jerricans of additional fuel, were intercepted during the operation.
“I am pleased to announce that in this latest phase of Operation Whirlwind, the following seizures have been made: Two trucks of 33,000-litre capacity each, filled with PMS intended to be smuggled.
“1,046 jerricans of 25-litre capacity each, filled with PMS intended to be smuggled.
“12 drums of 200-litre capacity each filled with PMS intended to be smuggled.
“Additionally, one suspect has been apprehended in connection with these smuggling activities.”
“The total number of litres of PMS seized under this phase amounts to 94.550 litres with the monetary value of N75,450,900.00,” Adeniyi said.
He added that the petrol would be sold for N630 per litre, which is much lower than the current price of N1,030 at local filling stations.
This sale follows Section 119 of the Nigeria Customs Act 2023, which allows the auction of seized goods to the public.