The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 34,470 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol along the Adamawa and Taraba border corridors.
Operatives of the NCS acting on intelligence seized the 1,149 jerrycans of PMS along with a specially modified transport vehicle valued at ₦4 million, bringing the total duty-paid value (DPV) of the confiscated items to ₦37.78 million.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Jalingo, Taraba State Capital, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, described the operation as a strategic response to the growing sophistication of transnational smuggling networks.
“Our intelligence-led operations have revealed that this corridor is a strategic transit point for cross-border petroleum diversion. The economic implications extend beyond revenue losses; it disrupts supply chains, fuels artificial scarcity, and undermines regional security,” Comptroller Adeniyi stated.
He warned against internal collusion, saying, “We have intelligence that some officers and members of border communities are aiding smugglers. We will dig deeper into this and ensure that those involved face the full wrath of the law.”
The Customs boss ordered that the seized petroleum products should be sold to the citizens at a subsidised rate in order to mitigate the effects of smuggling-induced fuel shortages.
On his part, the Customs Area Controller of the Adamawa/Taraba Command, Comptroller Garba Bashir reiterated the Service’s commitment to combatting smuggling while also highlighting the dangers of the illicit trade.
Comptroller Bashir said: “Smuggling weakens legitimate trade, encourages revenue loss, increases crime, and endangers our citizens. The operatives of Operation Whirlwind, under the leadership of the Comptroller General, have intensified efforts to dismantle these smuggling networks.”
Similarly, the Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Hussaini Ejibunu, highlighted the efficiency of intelligence-led operations, revealing that the seizures were made within three hours.
“This is an intelligence-based operation, not one conducted at fixed checkpoints. The results you see today confirm that Taraba is being used as a conduit for smuggling,” Ejibunu remarked.
He urged community members to support the fight against smuggling, stressing that, “There is no hiding place for criminals, anyone caught will be prosecuted. If you see something, say something.”
