*Seizes 1,548 Jerrycans, Vehicle Worth N63.1m
From Joseph Adahnu, Yola
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted 38,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), being smuggled out of Adamawa State.
The seizure was made by the Service’s special task force, Operation Whirlwind, which also impounded a vehicle used to convey the product. The Duty Paid Value (DPV), of the seized petrol and the vehicle is put at N63.115 million.
Disclosing this at a press conference in Yola recently, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind and Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abubakar Aliyu, said the product was packed in 1,548 jerrycans of 25 litres each.
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According to him, the seizures were made in intelligence-driven operations over the past six weeks along major smuggling corridors in the State, including Malabu-Belel, Girei-Wuro Bokki, Gurin-Fufore, Wuro Alhaji-Maiha and Mubi-Sahuda axes in Zone D.
Aliyu said the operation is part of the broader mandate of Operation Whirlwind to check smuggling and illegal diversion of petroleum products, protect the national economy and ensure public safety.
He warned that smuggling of PMS undermines domestic supply, particularly during periods of distribution challenges, and stressed that petroleum products meant for the Nigerian market must not be diverted to neighbouring countries.
He added that because of its inflammable nature, the seized product will be auctioned to members of the public in line with provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, while proceeds will be remitted to the Federation Account.
In his remarks, the Adamawa State Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Dr. Bashir Sirajo, said petrol smuggling persists due to price differentials between Nigeria and neighbouring countries, which incentivizes diversion and triggers artificial scarcity in border communities.
Sirajo expressed optimism that sustained synergy between NMDPRA and the Customs Service would help curb the menace.
