Nigeria Customs Service: Eastern Marine Command Auctions Seized Petroleum and Palm Oil Products Valued At Over N26M

In strict compliance with Section 119 of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023, the Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service says it has successfully conducted a public auction of 14,720 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as Petrol and 14,925 litres of Industrial Palm Oil, edible Palm oil and Vegetable Oil.

This was contained in a press release issued, signed and made available weekend to media platforms by the Command's Public Relations officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs 

Joshua Iliya in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state Capital.

The statement maintained that the public exercise was held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Oron Outstation of the Command in Akwa Ibom State, noting that such aligned with the Service's statutory mandate to transparently dispose of seized, forfeited, and abandoned goods after all due legal processes have been completed.

The seized items comprised, 14,720 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ?11,444,000, 14,200 litres of Industrial Palm Oil with a DPV of ?14,109,830, 600 litres of Edible Palm Oil with a DPV of ?840,000, and 125 litres of Vegetable Oil with a DPV of ?141,000 even as the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the intercepted items amounted to ?26,534,830.

Declaring the auction open, the Ag. Comptroller of the Eastern Marine Command, Nigeria Customs service, Deputy Comptroller Esien Etim Esiet, stated that the items were intercepted during successful anti-smuggling operations within the command's jurisdiction adding that the seizures followed direct violations of the NCS Act and other extant laws governing restricted goods.

His words "This exercise reflects our unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of government assets," DC Esiet said. 

Continuing, he reiterated that "Beyond the lawful disposal of goods, this auction serves as a stark reminder that smuggling is an economic crime."

“It undermines national development, threatens local industries, and deprives the government of critical revenue" he averred.

DC Esiet commended the resilience and professionalism of the command’s officers for securing Nigeria’s maritime borders despite operating in challenging terrains even as he also assured bidders that the process was structured to be fair, open, and legally compliant while offering equal opportunity to all eligible participants.

The Ag. Comptroller expressed profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his visionary leadership and strategic support.

He equally extended gratitude to sister security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and the media for their ongoing collaboration in combating trans-border crimes while urging Maritime operators and the public  to remain law-abiding, adhere strictly to customs regulations, and support the NCS in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests.

By Bon Peters

Port Harcourt Rivers State

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