Customs to Auction 35,000 Litres of Seized Petrol in Kebbi, Hands Over Cannabis to NDLEA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, has announced plans to auction approximately 35,000 litres of seized Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. This development was disclosed by the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle Ibrahim, during his inaugural press briefing held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, in Kebbi.
Comptroller Matawalle outlined the Command’s notable achievements within his first month in office, which include the interception of 14,750 litres of PMS valued at ₦8,850,000, and an additional 20,975 litres worth ₦12,585,000 — bringing the total to 35,725 litres. He also announced that the Command generated ₦25,621,609.26 in revenue for September, marking a 36.13% increase compared to August.
In its ongoing anti-smuggling efforts, the Kebbi Command recorded several significant seizures in the past month. These include:
- 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
- 20 jerrycans of vegetable oil
Matawalle confirmed that, in line with existing laws, the seized PMS will be auctioned publicly, with all proceeds duly remitted to the Federal Government. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized goods stands at ₦109,595,761.
As part of inter-agency cooperation, the Area Controller formally handed over 444 wraps of Cannabis Sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and 143 sacks of donkey meat to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS). Representatives of both agencies praised the Customs Command for its collaborative spirit and reiterated their commitment to jointly tackling the smuggling of illicit and prohibited items.
Matawalle also commended the commitment and tireless efforts of the officers under Operation Whirlwind Zone B, whose operations were instrumental in achieving these results.
The press briefing was attended by several key stakeholders, including:
- Superintendent of Quarantine Muhammad Bashir Abdulrazaq, representing the Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) of NAQS, Adamu Isah Gano
- Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Kebbi State Command, Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Sokoto
- Assistant Comptroller of Customs N.O. Edet, Commander of Operation Whirlwind Zone B
Other senior officers and stakeholders were also present, affirming their support for the Command’s renewed drive against smuggling and cross-border crimes.
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