The Nigeria Customs Service has impounded more than 38,000 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) in border communities across Adamawa State following a six-week anti-smuggling operation.
Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Abubakar Aliyu, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, made the disclosure at a press briefing in Yola on Wednesday.
According to him, the seizures, carried out at locations including Malabu-Belel, Girei-Wuro Bokki, Gurin-Fufore, Wuro Alhaji-Maiha and Mubi-Sahuda, had a total duty-paid value of N63 million, inclusive of a vehicle allegedly used to convey the products.
“Customs operatives recovered 1,548 jerrycans of petrol, each with a capacity of 25 litres, bringing the total volume of the seized products to 38,700 litres. A vehicle allegedly used to transport the petroleum products was also intercepted during the operations,” Aliyu said.
He explained that the intelligence-led raids targeted known smuggling hotspots and routes suspected of being used for the illegal cross-border movement of petroleum products.
Aliyu reaffirmed that Operation Whirlwind would continue to combat petroleum smuggling and other forms of illicit trade to protect the national economy and ensure public safety.
Operation Whirlwind is a specialised anti-smuggling initiative established to curb the unlawful diversion and cross-border trafficking of petroleum products, with the aim of safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and national energy security.
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