The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sold around 20,000 litres of petrol to the public at ₦630 per litre in Ibadan, Oyo State. The petrol was seized from smugglers and auctioned at Afoo Filling Station in the Masfala area of the city.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, explained that the petrol was seized during an operation in the Oyo/Osun axis. Customs officers intercepted a tanker and 30 kegs of petrol, each containing 25 litres, as they were being smuggled out of the country.
The total seized quantity of 30,750 litres was valued at ₦42.75 million. After obtaining a court order, Customs decided to auction the petrol to the public. Comptroller Ejibunu said this decision followed instructions from the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashiru Adeniyi, to ensure the fuel was made available for public use, especially during the festive season.
“This is part of the government’s policy to make sure seized goods are used for the benefit of Nigerians,” Ejibunu said. He emphasised that the government is committed to ensuring citizens have access to essential goods.
This initiative aims to curb smuggling while providing relief to the public by making petrol more accessible during the holidays.