The Nigeria Customs Service sold 20,000 liters of seized petrol at ₦630 per liter in Ibadan to curb smuggling and support public access to fuel during the festive season. The operation, led by Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, highlights the government’s efforts to ensure citizens benefit from confiscated goods.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently sold approximately 20,000 liters of seized petrol to the public at ₦630 per liter in Ibadan, Oyo State. The sale carried out at Afoo Filling Station in the Masfala area, aimed to make fuel accessible during the festive season while addressing smuggling issues.
The intercepted petroleum products included a tanker containing 20,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and an additional 30 kegs, each with 25 liters of petrol. According to Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, the total duty-paid value of the seized petrol was estimated at ₦42.75 million.
The seizure was part of efforts by Operation Whirlwind operatives to prevent smuggling activities in the Oyo/Osun axis. Comptroller Ejibunu explained that the petrol was sold after obtaining a court condemnation order, ensuring the legal transfer of the goods to the public.
He further stated that the initiative aligns with directives from the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashiru Adeniyi, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring citizens benefit from confiscated goods. "The government is focused on ensuring that items seized from unlawful activities are put to proper use for the benefit of Nigerians," Ejibunu remarked.
This move comes as a significant effort to provide relief to the public amid rising fuel costs and to discourage cross-border smuggling operations. Residents lauded the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
