From Umar Dankano, Adamawa
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 38,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, allegedly intended for smuggling out of Nigeria through border routes in Adamawa State.
The seized product comprised 1,548 jerrycans, each containing 25 litres of petrol, while a vehicle allegedly used to transport the petroleum products was also intercepted during the operations.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, disclosed this at a press conference in Yola on Wednesday.
Aliyu said the seizures followed intelligence-driven operations conducted by customs operatives across major smuggling routes within Zone D of the state over the past six weeks.
He identified the affected locations as the Malabu-Belel, Girei-Wuro Bokki, Gurin-Fufore, Wuro Alhaji-Maiha and Mubi-Sahuda axes.
According to him, the operations were carried out following actionable intelligence on suspected attempts to smuggle petroleum products through border corridors.
Customs Puts Seized Petrol, Vehicle at N63.1m
Aliyu said the aggregate duty-paid value of the seized petroleum products and the intercepted vehicle stood at N63,115,000.
He added that the seized petrol would be auctioned to the public immediately because of its highly inflammable nature.
Read Also: Customs Bust N362.2m Smuggled Goods in Adamawa
The customs official said Operation Whirlwind remained committed to combating petroleum smuggling and other forms of illegal trade, protecting the national economy and safeguarding public safety.
Aliyu warned that the illegal diversion of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders could undermine efforts to maintain adequate domestic supply, particularly during periods of energy distribution challenges.
He stressed that petroleum products intended for the Nigerian market should not be diverted illegally to other countries, noting that such activities could have adverse consequences for the economy.