The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted over 69,375 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Adamawa and Taraba States, one of its largest hauls under the ongoing ‘Operation Whirlwind’.
The development was announced during a press briefing at the customs headquarters in Yola, by the Assistant Comptroller-General, Hussain Ejibunu, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi
In the past six weeks, he disclosed that customs operatives had seized 2,276 jerrycans of 25 litres of petrol and 19 jerrycans of diesel, totalling over 69,000 litres, all concealed for illegal export to a neighbouring country.
Ejibunu said the seizures were made across well-known smuggling routes, including Malabu–Belel, Girei–WuroBokki, Gurin–Fufore, Jam Terry, Maiha, Jimeta Waterside, and the Mubi–Sahuda axis.
He revealed that two vehicles used for transporting the smuggled products were also impounded.
Meanwhile, Ejibunu warned individuals who attack customs operatives while performing their lawful duties to desist or face the consequences.
“The service will not tolerate any form of aggression against its officers. Such acts are criminal and will be met with the full force of the law,” he said.
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Also speaking at the event, the Customs Area Comptroller for Adamawa/Taraba Command, Comptroller Garba Bashir, commended officers’ efforts under ‘Operation Whirlwind’ and emphasised that smuggling threatens national development.
“Smuggling undermines economic growth, threatens national security, and erodes citizens’ welfare,” Bashir said.
“This fight is not for customs alone, but a shared responsibility. With collaboration and intelligence sharing, we can defeat this menace,” he said.
He called on the media and patriotic Nigerians to support anti-smuggling efforts through public sensitisation and timely intelligence sharing..
Thereafter, the customs announced that the seized petroleum products would be resold to the public at ₦10 per 25-litre jerrycan, in line with the federal government’s directive to alleviate fuel hardship.
