Customs seize N72.6m worth of petrol in less than two weeks in Adamawa
In a determined effort to combat smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adamawa -Taraba Command, has announced a significant seizure of petrol, also known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), with a total duty-paid value of N72.6 million.
This remarkable operation was carried out in less than two weeks within Adamawa State, underscoring the agency’s heightened vigilance in tackling illegal fuel smuggling.
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The Comptroller of the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Garba Bashir, made this revelation while addressing journalists at a press conference in Yola on Wednesday. He reiterated the agency’s firm stance against smuggling activities, emphasizing that smugglers would find no breathing space under his watch.
“In Adamawa and Taraba States, smugglers will not have fresh air. We have started strangling them, and we will continue to strangle and suffocate them until smuggling activities are purged out of the states,” the Comptroller declared firmly.
Providing details of recent interceptions, Bashir highlighted a series of successful operations that have dealt a major blow to smuggling cartels operating in the region.
He noted that on March 8, Customs operatives intercepted a Toyota Corolla vehicle at Fufore-Gurin international border adding that the car was fully loaded with petrol and was about to be smuggled across the border to a neighboring country.
Bashir added that on March 13, acting on intelligence, customs officers stormed the Jimeta waterside (Bakin Kogi) along the River Benue, where they discovered a massive cache of fuel—240 drums, each filled with 220 litres of petrol—ready for illegal transportation to Cameroon.
He added that in another operation on March 14 customs officers carried out an intelligence-led operation at the Fufore-Gurin axis, resulting in the seizure of 425 jerrycans of petrol, each with a 25-litre capacity.
He added that in total, a staggering 70,175 litres of petrol was confiscated within the short period, alongside the seized vehicle.
“These operations have significantly disrupted the illicit fuel trade and demonstrated the customs agency’s growing effectiveness in border security enforcement,” he said.
The Comptroller attributed these recent successes to a combination of enhanced intelligence gathering, the use of advanced technology, capacity-building initiatives, and the adoption of a coordinated approach to border security.
He acknowledged the unwavering support of the NCS leadership under Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which has played a crucial role in boosting operational efficiency. Additionally, Bashir commended the collaboration between customs and other security agencies, which has proven instrumental in achieving these results.
He further issued a stern warning to smugglers, urging them to abandon their illegal activities before the law catches up with them. “The Nigeria Customs Service is out to facilitate legitimate trade and is ever ready to crack down on smuggling cartels for the nation’s economy to have fresh air,” he asserted.
Recognizing the importance of collective effort in the fight against smuggling, the Comptroller called on patriotic citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious trans-border activities. He stressed that security agencies alone cannot eradicate smuggling, and public cooperation is crucial to sustaining the progress made.
“Smuggling has eaten deep into the nation’s economy and undermined our security. For a better and prosperous Nigeria, we need the unwavering support of all Nigerians in this fight—it is not a one-man business,” Bashir emphasized.
He also urged media professionals to intensify advocacy efforts against smuggling, highlighting the detrimental impact of the illegal trade on Nigeria’s economy and security. According to him, public awareness campaigns and accurate reporting can help dissuade potential smugglers and encourage compliance with legal trade practices.
With these latest seizures, the Adamawa/Taraba Customs Command has once again reaffirmed its dedication to securing Nigeria’s borders and safeguarding the country’s economic interests. The relentless crackdown on fuel smugglers sends a strong message that illicit trade will not be tolerated, and those involved will face severe consequences.
Moving forward, the customs agency remains resolute in its mission to eliminate smuggling activities, leveraging intelligence, technology, and inter-agency collaboration to achieve even greater successes.
The fight against smuggling is far from over, but with continued vigilance, public support, and government backing, the Nigeria Customs Service is determined to uphold national security and economic stability.
