By Martins Abochol
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted 1,149 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), allegedly smuggled through the Dorofi and Kan Iyaka axis, along the Gembu-Cameroon border in Taraba.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday in Jalingo while auctioning the seized petroleum products to the public.
Adeniyi said that the ‘Operation Whirl Wind’ which burst the smuggling network was carried out between March 8 and 9, 2025.
He explained that the operation was based on credible intelligence and was done in collaboration with other agencies.
He listed the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as critical partners towards achieving the success in the anti smuggling campaign.
“Our intelligence-led operations have disrupted an emerging smuggling corridor along the Gembu-Dorofi-Kan Iyaka-Cameroon border.
“We remain committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s fuel does not end up in neighboring countries illegally at the expense of our economy.” he said.
The controller general added that the seized petroleum products, contained in 30-liter jerrycans, totaled about 34 million litres.
He said that a special-purpose transportation vehicle valued at N4 million was also impounded, bringing the total duty-paid value of the seizure to over N37 million.
Adeniyi noted that the difficult terrain of the area had contributed to the prevalence of smuggling activities, saying.
“The rough landscape is a challenge but we are working towards deploying technology to enhance real-time intelligence and surveillance, which will improve our ability to track and intercept illegal activities,” he said.
The customs boss called on Nigerians to support the service by providing credible information that could aid in tackling smuggling.
“We urge members of the public to collaborate with us and other security agencies. Smuggling is an economic crime, and tackling it requires collective effort.
“Intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration are key to sustaining our fight against this menace,” he said.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the commitment of the service to strengthen border security and to curb the illegal exportation of petroleum products, warning that those involved would face the full weight of the law.
Earlier, Controller Garba Bature, Controller of Adamawa/Taraba Command, said that the command would leave no stone unturned in it’s fight against smuggling activities.
Bature, while commending the command for it’s giant stride, sought collaboration from border communities in the area of intelligence gathering. (NAN)