Nigeria Customs Intercepts 38,700 Litres of Petrol in Adamawa, Seizes Vehicle Worth ₦63.1m

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its Operation Whirlwind task force, has intercepted 38,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, suspected to have been destined for smuggling across Nigeria’s borders.

The seizure, made during a six-week crackdown on suspected petroleum smuggling activities in Adamawa State, involved 1,548 jerry cans, each with a capacity of 25 litres. Customs officials also seized a vehicle allegedly used to transport the fuel.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, disclosed the development on Wednesday in Yola. He said the combined Duty Paid Value of the seized petrol and vehicle was ₦63.115 million.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Customs House in Yola, Aliyu explained that the interceptions resulted from intelligence-driven operations targeting identified smuggling hotspots across Adamawa State.

He listed the suspected smuggling corridors as Malabu-Belel, Girei-Wuro Bokki, Gurin-Fufore, Wuro Alhaji-Maiha and Mubi-Sahuda.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Dr Bashir Sirajo, attributed persistent fuel smuggling to price differences between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

In a message delivered at the briefing, Sirajo warned that the diversion of petroleum products intended for domestic consumption undermines Nigeria’s supply chain and can contribute to artificial scarcity in border communities.

He expressed optimism that stronger cooperation among relevant stakeholders, including the NMDPRA and the Nigeria Customs Service, would help curb the illegal movement of petroleum products across the country’s borders.