43,750 liters of smuggled fuel auctioned by Nigeria Customs in Kwara
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its crackdown on petroleum smuggling with the public auction of 43,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit intercepted along the Niger/Kwara axis.
The exercise was conducted at the Kwara Area Command in Ilorin, where the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Abubakar Aliyu, addressed stakeholders on the development.
According to him, the seizure followed credible intelligence aimed at curbing the diversion of fuel across border communities in the region.
He explained that operatives intercepted 1,510 jerrycans of 25 litres each and 30 drums of 200 litres, with the total consignment valued at about N43.75 million.
Furthermore, the seizures were made across several flashpoints, including Kaima, Shiya, Kenu, Boriya, Luma, Bokuru-Baruten, Ilesha-Baruba, Taberu, and Salla-Gwanara areas of Kwara State.
Aliyu described fuel smuggling as a major economic threat, noting that it deprives the country of revenue, disrupts supply chains, and contributes to artificial scarcity.
He, however, commended the Office of the National Security Adviser led by Nuhu Ribadu and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for their support in intelligence gathering and regulatory compliance.
In his remarks, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Najeem Ogundeyi, urged residents and stakeholders to support security agencies with timely information, stressing that sustained collaboration is key to tackling smuggling.
