From Joseph Adahnu, Yola
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has revealed that smugglers took advantage of the Christmas and New Year festivities to intensify the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.
Adeniyi made this known while addressing journalists in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, following a recent seizure of petroleum products under Operation Whirlwind.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Customs Anti-Smuggling Unit, stating that officers remained vigilant despite smugglers’ attempts to exploit the festive season for illicit trade.
According to the CGC, “We will remain resolute in protecting the economy of the country and are ever ready to tackle the smuggling of petroleum products.”
He lamented that smuggling continues to harm Nigeria’s economy, adding that the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with other security agencies, will intensify efforts to curb the menace.
Adeniyi further explained that the illegal smuggling of petroleum products constitutes economic sabotage, depriving millions of Nigerians of access to fuel. However, he assured that Operation Whirlwind had been established to address these nefarious activities.
At the start of the first quarter of 2025, Adeniyi revealed that the Nigeria Customs Service, under Operation Whirlwind, intensified its crackdown across the Adamawa/Taraba Command. As a result, officers intercepted and seized a total of 199,495 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being diverted through various smuggling techniques.
He further disclosed that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized products stands at N199,495,000.
“The seized items include four fuel tankers carrying 97,000 litres each, totalling 34,075litress, along with 311 drums of 220litress each,” he added.
Comptroller-General Adeniyi identified volatile smuggling corridors within the Adamawa/Taraba Command, including Mova Dasin, Galamba, Song axis, and critical waterway points along the maritime international borders with Cameroon.
He recalled that in 2024, Customs recorded the seizure of 1,716,656 litres of petroleum products, which were systematically diverted to neighbouring countries through illegal routes and waterways.
Meanwhile, the Commander of Operation Whirlwind, ACG Hussain Egigono, expressed deep concern over the high level of smuggling in Adamawa and Taraba States, stating that “the level of smuggling in these states is higher than anywhere else in Nigeria.”
The Nigeria Customs Service has vowed to sustain its crackdown on smuggling networks to safeguard the nation’s economy.