The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 38,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), valued at N63.115 million, in a six-week operation targeting suspected petroleum smuggling networks in Adamawa State.
The seizure, which included a vehicle allegedly used to transport the products, followed intelligence-led enforcement operations along several routes suspected of facilitating the illegal movement of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind and Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, disclosed the development at a press conference at the Customs House in Yola on Wednesday.
Aliyu said the operations covered identified smuggling flashpoints, including the Malabu-Belel, Girei-Wuro Bokki, Gurin-Fufore, Wuro Alhaji-Maiha and Mubi-Sahuda corridors.
According to him, Customs operatives recovered 1,548 jerry cans of petrol, each with a capacity of 25 litres, bringing the total volume seized to 38,700 litres.
He put the combined Duty Paid Value of the petroleum products and the intercepted vehicle at N63,115,000.
The Customs official said the seizures were made following actionable intelligence on suspected illegal movements of petroleum products along border corridors and other routes across the state.
He warned that the diversion of petrol intended for the Nigerian market could undermine domestic supply efforts and worsen challenges associated with the distribution of energy products.
Aliyu said Operation Whirlwind would sustain its enforcement activities to disrupt suspected smuggling networks, protect the national economy and prevent the illegal movement of petroleum products out of the country.
He added that the operation would continue to rely on intelligence gathering and surveillance to identify smuggling routes and intercept consignments, stressing that efforts to tackle the illicit trade would be pursued within the confines of the law.
The six-week crackdown forms part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s broader efforts to combat petroleum smuggling and other forms of illegal cross-border trade.
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