Nigeria Customs to Auction 35,000 Litres Seized Fuel in Kebbi
Kebbi State witnessed a wave of excitement on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, announced plans to auction 35,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) seized from smugglers attempting to divert the product to neighbouring countries.
The announcement came during the Command’s maiden press briefing under the leadership of the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle Ibrahim, fdc.
The well-attended event drew distinguished guests, including the Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Adamu Isah Gano (represented by Superintendent of Quarantine Muhammad Bashir Abdulrazaq); the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Kebbi State Command, Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Sokoto; and the Commander, Operation Whirlwind Zone B, Assistant Comptroller of Customs N.O. Edet, among other senior officers and stakeholders.
In his address, Comptroller Matawalle commended the relentless efforts of his officers, particularly those under Operation Whirlwind Zone B, whose vigilance led to the seizure of 14,750 litres of PMS valued at ₦8.85 million. In a related operation, officers of the Kebbi Area Command intercepted an additional 20,975 litres worth ₦12.58 million — bringing the total to 35,725 litres.
“In accordance with extant laws, the seized PMS will be auctioned to members of the public, and all proceeds will be duly remitted into the Federal Government treasury,” he affirmed.
Beyond anti-smuggling victories, the Command also recorded impressive progress in revenue generation, achieving a 36.13% increase compared to the previous month. A total of ₦25,621,609.26 was generated in September 2025 — a significant leap that underscores the Command’s renewed efficiency and accountability.
Within the same period, several other contraband items were seized, including 100 bales of second-hand clothing, 444 laptop-sized wraps of Cannabis Sativa, 143 mini sacks of donkey meat, 140 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 100 bags of foreign parboiled rice, and 20 jerrycans of vegetable oil. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seizures was put at ₦109,595,761.
Reinforcing inter-agency synergy, Comptroller Matawalle formally handed over the 444 wraps of Cannabis Sativa and 143 sacks of donkey meat to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), respectively. Representatives from both agencies lauded the Customs Command for its commitment and pledged continued collaboration in curbing illicit trade and border crimes.
The proactive measures of the Kebbi Area Command have not only reinforced national security at the borders but also reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s dedication to safeguarding the nation’s economic integrity.