The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 38,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at ₦63.115 million, during a six-week operation against suspected petroleum smuggling in Adamawa State.
Key Highlights
- Customs intercepts 38,700 litres of petrol worth ₦63.115 million in Adamawa.
- Seizure made during a six-week Operation Whirlwind exercise.
- A vehicle allegedly used to convey the products was also seized.
- Operation followed intelligence on illegal movement through border corridors.
- Customs, ONSA and NMDPRA pledge closer collaboration against smuggling.
The operation, conducted by the customs anti-smuggling initiative, Operation Whirlwind, also led to the seizure of a vehicle allegedly used to convey the petroleum products.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind and Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Customs House in Yola, where he presented the operation’s enforcement achievements in Zone D.
Intelligence-Led Operation
Aliyu said the seizures followed actionable intelligence on the suspected illegal movement of petroleum products through border corridors and other identified routes in Adamawa State.
He explained that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt smuggling networks, prevent the illegal movement of petroleum products out of the country and protect Nigeria’s economic interests.
According to him, intelligence gathering and surveillance had remained critical to identifying suspected smuggling routes and intercepting consignments intended for illegal movement.
Aliyu reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Whirlwind to intensifying its enforcement activities and ensuring that anyone found engaging in petroleum smuggling was dealt with in accordance with the law.
He added that the operation would sustain efforts to dismantle smuggling networks and safeguard the national economy.
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Agencies Pledge Collaboration
The Customs Area Controller for the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Mohammed Tako, commended officers of Operation Whirlwind for their efforts and pledged the command’s continued support.
Tako said the command remains committed to strengthening collaboration with the operation to sustain enforcement activities and combat petroleum smuggling across the area.
Similarly, a representative of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) stressed the importance of collaboration among the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the NMDPRA and the Nigeria Customs Service in addressing petroleum smuggling.
The representative said the partnership is designed to protect Nigeria’s economic interests and secure the country’s energy future, noting that the initiative extended beyond routine enforcement.
The latest interceptions highlight the continued efforts of Operation Whirlwind and its partner agencies to curb the illegal movement of petroleum products and strengthen regulatory oversight along the country’s border corridors.
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