Customs Sells Petrol In Seized Tanker At ₦‎630/Litre In Ibadan

The Nigeria Customs Service on Saturday sold approximately 20,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, from a tanker seized from smugglers at an auction price of ₦630 per liter to members of the public in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The seizure of the petroleum product was carried out by operatives of Operation Whirlwind in the Oyo/Osun axis, according to information obtained by Sunday Tribune.

The fuel was sold at Afoo Filling Station in the Masfala area of Ibadan.

Flagging off the sale, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, revealed that the intercepted tanker, along with another 30 kegs containing 25 liters of petrol each, was seized while being smuggled out of the country.

He disclosed that the total duty-paid value of the seized petrol, amounting to 30,750 liters, was estimated at ₦42.75 million.

Comptroller Ejibunu explained that Customs decided to sell the petrol to members of the public after obtaining a court condemnation order through the office of the legal adviser. This followed a period during which the seized items remained unclaimed.

He further stated that the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashiru Adeniyi, directed the sale to ensure the public could access the product, especially during the festive season.

Comptroller Ejibunu added:
“Government at every level ensures that citizens receive what they are entitled to, as and when due. It is part of government policy to ensure that seized goods are auctioned to Nigerians for their use.”