The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its ‘Operation Whirlwind’ intercepted 199,495 litres of smuggled petrol in Adamawa State.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who disclosed this in Yola condemned smugglers’ continued sabotage of Nigeria’s energy sector, describing their actions as a direct assault on the economy.
His words: “Despite the well-articulated economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to stabilise the energy sector, some unpatriotic elements remain determined to undermine these efforts through complex smuggling operations.
“Intelligence-driven operations by NCS officers in the Adamawa/Taraba Command led to the interception of 199,495 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The operatives of Operation Whirlwind had successfully seized fuel, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦199,495,000, being smuggled across borders using tankers, jerry cans, and drums.”
The Customs boss highlighted the tactics used by smugglers, including night-time river crossings at Dasin Waterways, illegal storage facilities near border towns, and concealment in unauthorised dispensing points.
“These economic saboteurs are determined to inflict hardship on law-abiding Nigerians, but let it be clearly understood that the Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in its mandate to protect our national economy,” he stated.
The CGC disclosed that the Customs operatives carried out targeted interceptions at strategic smuggling routes, including Mova, Dasin, the Galamba-Song axis, and the Mubi-Maiha corridor respectively.
He assured Nigerians that the Service would continue to adopt its strategies, reinforce intelligence gathering, and collaborate with security agencies to close in on smugglers.
“There will be no safe haven for them within our operational areas.,” CGC Adeniyi vowed.
On his part, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Finance and Administration, ACG Hussain Ejibunu, lauded CGC Adeniyi for his leadership and the officers’ dedication.
He stressed the importance of public cooperation, and encouraged citizens to report suspicious activities to security agencies.
