Customs Intercepts Smuggled Petrol Worth ₦199m in Adamawa

The Nigeria Customs Service has seized smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth ₦199,495,000 in Adamawa. 

Speaking at the Adamawa and Taraba Area Command, Comptroller General Bashir Adeniyi on Thursday,  declared an all-out war against smugglers. He described their activities as a serious threat to Nigeria’s economy.

The seizure was part of intelligence-driven operations under “Operation Whirl Wind.” This newly created unit targets smuggling activities across different parts of the country.

Adeniyi revealed that Customs officers intercepted 199,495 litres of PMS. The smuggled fuel was being diverted using concealed tankers, jerry cans, and drums.

The confiscated items included four tankers carrying 97,000 litres, 1,363 jerry cans totaling 34,075 litres, and 311 drums containing 68,420 litres of PMS.

The Customs boss commended officers for their vigilance, especially in high-risk terrains. He said their coordinated efforts disrupted sophisticated smuggling operations.

He also noted that strategic waterway interdictions led to major seizures, including 311 drums of petrol and several jerry cans ready for illegal export.

Adeniyi disclosed that over 1.7 million litres of smuggled petrol were seized in 2024. He warned that Customs would intensify crackdowns on fuel diversion.

To enhance border security, the agency has installed surveillance cameras at its headquarters. These cameras help monitor illegal activities in real time.

Adeniyi explained that some Adamawa seizures were made after cameras detected suspicious movements. Officers were then alerted and acted swiftly to intercept the smugglers.

He assured Nigerians that new strategies would be introduced to curb smuggling. He vowed that saboteurs would find no hiding place.