The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Kebbi State Command, has auctioned 66,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, seized during anti-smuggling operations in the state.
The Customs Area Controller, Muhammad Ibrahim, disclosed this on Thursday during a public auction and handover exercise in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the seizures were made under Operation Whirlwind, a special enforcement unit targeting cross-border smuggling and illegal diversion of petroleum products.
According to him, the operation is part of efforts to curb economic sabotage and protect national resources.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Aliyu Abubakar, said 864 jerrycans of petrol, amounting to about 21,500 litres, were intercepted at various smuggling routes, including Bagudo, Kamba and Jega Road.
He added that a tanker carrying about 45,000 litres of petrol was also intercepted along the Jega axis after it was allegedly diverted from its original destination.
The tanker has since been handed over to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further investigation.
A representative of the agency, Grace Dauda, warned that diversion of petroleum products disrupts supply and could attract sanctions.
The Customs Service said the public auction of the seized fuel was conducted in line with due process, while efforts to curb smuggling activities in border communities continue.
