Customs Hands Over 159,000 Litres of Seized Fuel to NMDPRA
Last update: February 22, 2026
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More than159,000 litres of seized petrol have been released to NMDPRA in by the NCS, intensifying crackdown on cross-border fuel smuggling.
The Nigerian Customs Service has handed over three fuel tankers containing 159,000 litres of petrol to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for further regulatory action.
The National Co-ordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, conducted the handover in Lagos, describing the seizure as a significant milestone in the fight against fuel smuggling.
Aliyu said the tankers, with registration numbers T21019LA, T9827LA and T3546LA, were intercepted along key smuggling corridors, including Aso-Odo, Seme, Owode-Apa and Badagry.
In addition to the tankers, Customs intercepted 1,630 jerry-cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at about N40.75 million in Duty Paid Value. The seized jerry-cans will be auctioned to the public to promote transparency and accountability.
According to Aliyu, the intelligence-driven operation underscores Customs’ commitment to tackling economic sabotage and enforcing strict compliance with petroleum transportation regulations.
He noted that illegal diversion of petroleum products undermines government policy, destabilises the market and deprives the country of critical revenue, warning that smuggling activities would not be tolerated.
CBI News reports that Aliyu also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his support in strengthening anti-smuggling operations and called on Nigerians to collaborate with enforcement agencies.
Responding, Grace Dauda of the NMDPRA reaffirmed the agency’s mandate to prevent diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption and urged citizens to support efforts to curb economic sabotage.
