The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a fresh arrest of petrol allegedly being diverted from designated locations in Adamawa State.
The NCS fuel smuggling arm, Operation Whirlwind, made the seizure between its last briefing in Yola on January 29, 2025 and now, according to its National Coordinator, ACG Hussein Ejibunu who briefed newsmen in Yola on Friday.
Ejibunu disclosed that earlier this month, operational officers intercepted and seized 916 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS, commonly known as petrol) containing 25 liters each, yielding a volume of 22,900 liters at four flashpoints in Adamawa State, namely Maiha, Mubi, Gurin and Belel.
“This operation was intelligence-driven and executed with precision, reflecting the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service in safeguarding our nation’s resources and ensuring compliance with the law,” Ejibunu said.
According to him, the seized items, with an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦22,900,000, were being transported through unauthorized routes, intended for illicit trade that undermines Nigeria’s economy and security.
“Smuggling of PMS remains a significant challenge, driven by the lure of quick profits,” he noted, assuring however that the Nigeria Customs Service is resolute in its mission to dismantle smuggling networks and bring economic saboteurs to justice,” he said.
The jerry cans of seized fuel as well as five vehicles said to have been used as means of transportation of some of the diverted petrol, were shown to newsmen during the press briefing at the Adamawa/Taraba Area Office of the NCS in Yola.
The Area Controller of the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the NCS, Garba Bashir who spoke earlier during the press briefing, advised petrol marketers to stick strictly to delivering petrol to only their designated locations as indicated in manifests issued at loading points, if they are not to be regarded as economic saboteurs and have their consignment confisticated.