In a major anti-smuggling breakthrough, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 69,375 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Adamawa and Taraba States, under its special enforcement operation codenamed Operation Whirlwind.
The development was announced at a press briefing held Thursday at the NCS Zonal Headquarters in Yola by Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Hussain Ejibunu, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
“This briefing is to inform the public of recent breakthroughs in our operations against smuggling and economic sabotage within Zone D,” ACG Ejibunu said.
He disclosed that over a six-week period, Customs operatives seized 2,276 jerrycans of 25 litres of PMS and 19 jerrycans of AGO amounting to over 69,000 litres intended for illegal export to a neighbouring country. The products were recovered from key smuggling corridors, including Malabu–Belel, Girei–WuroBokki, Gurin–Fufore, Jam Terry, Maiha, Jimeta Waterside, and the Mubi–Sahuda axis. Two vehicles used for conveying the products were also impounded.
ACG Ejibunu used the occasion to issue a stern warning to those who assault Customs personnel during lawful operations.
“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 stated.
In his remarks, the Customs Area Comptroller for Adamawa/Taraba Command, Comptroller Garba Bature Bashir, lauded the commitment of operatives involved in Operation Whirlwind and underscored the broader dangers posed by smuggling.
“Smuggling undermines economic growth, threatens national security, and erodes citizens’ welfare,” Bashir said.
“This fight is not for Customs alone—it is a collective responsibility. With collaboration and intelligence sharing, we can defeat this menace.”
He appealed to the media and the general public to support ongoing anti-smuggling campaigns through advocacy and timely intelligence.
Also present at the briefing were Comptroller Ike Oladeji, Deputy National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, and Bashir Sirajo, State Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Both officials commended the officers’ vigilance and echoed calls for an end to violent attacks on enforcement agents.
In a move to cushion fuel-related hardships, the NCS announced that the seized PMS will be resold to the public at ₦10 per 25-litre jerrycan, in line with federal directives.
