The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Sokoto/Zamfara Command has auctioned 25,162 litres of seized petrol to the public in Sokoto State. Kamal Muhammed, the Area Controller, explained that this auction was in line with extant laws and received approval from the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.
Muhammed highlighted that a few weeks prior, the NCS had auctioned 11,270 liters of petrol intercepted by Operation Whirlwind. Due to intensified efforts against smugglers, the service seized a total of 55,164 liters of petrol, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of approximately ₦39 million. The significant price difference of petrol between Nigeria and other West African countries makes smuggling a profitable activity, with petrol selling for ₦701.99 per liter in Nigeria compared to higher prices in neighboring countries like Cameroon (₦2,061.55), Mali (₦2,128.20), and the Republic of Benin (₦1,672.05).
The smuggling of petrol has contributed to artificial scarcity and increased the burden on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves. The auctioned petrol was sold to the public at a token price of ₦180 per liter. Muhammed assured that the NCS remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests with dedication, justice, and integrity, and issued a stern warning to smugglers that the service would continue to dismantle their illegitimate operations.