By Hassanat Adebowale
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1,149 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) allegedly smuggled along the Dorofi and Kan Iyaka axis near the Gembu-Cameroon border in Taraba State.
Customs Comptroller General Bashir Adeniyi announced the seizure on Friday in Jalingo during the public auction of the confiscated petroleum products. He revealed that the operation, code-named “Operation Whirl Wind,” took place between March 8 and 9, 2025, based on actionable intelligence and in collaboration with other government agencies.
Adeniyi noted the partnership with agencies such as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as crucial to disrupting the smuggling network.
“Our intelligence-led efforts have effectively dismantled an emerging smuggling route along the Gembu-Dorofi-Kan Iyaka-Cameroon border,” Adeniyi said. “We are fully committed to ensuring Nigeria’s fuel is not illegally diverted to neighboring countries at the expense of our economy.”
The confiscated petroleum products, stored in 30-litre jerrycans, amount to an estimated 34,000 litres of fuel. Additionally, the Customs Service impounded a specialized transport vehicle valued at N4 million, bringing the total value of the seized items, including duty-paid costs, to over N37 million.
Adeniyi acknowledged the challenging terrain of the region, which has made smuggling operations more frequent. However, he emphasized ongoing plans to deploy advanced technology for real-time intelligence and surveillance to enhance the agency’s capacity to monitor and intercept illegal activities.
He also urged Nigerians to provide credible information to assist in combating smuggling. “Smuggling is an economic crime that requires a collective effort to eliminate. We ask the public to collaborate with Customs and other security agencies to tackle this menace,” he added.
Reaffirming the NCS’s commitment to bolstering border security and curbing the illegal export of petroleum products, Adeniyi warned that offenders would face severe legal consequences.
Controller Garba Bature of the Adamawa/Taraba Command echoed this stance, pledging to intensify the fight against smuggling in the region. Bature commended his team’s efforts and called on border communities to assist with intelligence gathering to strengthen anti-smuggling operations.
GI’s Legal Corner
Smuggling is a serious crime, with strict penalties outlined in the Customs and Excise Management Act and the Petroleum Industry Act. Those found guilty of diverting petroleum products or evading customs duties face heavy fines and possible imprisonment.
The seizure of such a large amount of PMS not only helps to prevent economic losses but also supports the government’s efforts to maintain a stable domestic fuel supply. By stopping illegal exports, the Nigeria Customs Service plays a key role in protecting national resources and shielding the economy from the impact smuggling can have on fuel prices and availability.
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