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.

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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 that ?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.?

He also advised smugglers to desist from their illegal activities, warning that those caught would be prosecuted.

Recalling a similar operation, he said that about two months ago, seized petrol was sold to the public in Yola, Adamawa State, at the same price. Petrol in kegs was auctioned at ?10,000 per 25-liter keg.

He added that the prosecution of the suspect apprehended with the seized product had already commenced.

Comptroller Ejibunu also appealed to Nigerians to assist the Customs Service by providing useful information about the activities of economic saboteurs.

In his remarks, the Area Controller for Oyo/Osun Command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, stated that, ?we are committed to fulfilling the mandate of the Comptroller General to reduce smuggling to the barest minimum. The Oyo/Osun Area Command is partnering with the Commander of Operation Whirlwind as part of our efforts to ensure Nigeria?s safety, strengthen the economy, and discourage smuggling.?

The Managing Director of the filling station, Alhaji Afolabi Olatunji, expressed satisfaction with the orderly execution of the sale, highlighting that there was no chaos or crowd surge.

A car dealer, Alhaji Bashir Adesina, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for a ?job well done,? noting that the operation would serve as a deterrent to oil bunkering. (Nigerian Tribune)

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