Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has intercepted over 69,375 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, and Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, heading to Cameroon in Adamawa and Taraba States, under the ongoing Operation Whirlwind.
Announcing the development at a press briefing in Yola, Assistant Comptroller-General Hussain Ejibunu, who represented Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, said the breakthrough underscores the Service’s resolve to clamp down on economic sabotage.
“This briefing is to inform the public of recent breakthroughs in our operations against smuggling and economic sabotage within Zone D,” Ejibunu said.
According to him, operatives seized 2,276 jerrycans of 25 litres of PMS and 19 jerrycans of AGO, totalling over 69,000 litres , concealed for illegal export to neighbouring Cameroon.
The seizures were recorded along notorious smuggling corridors, including Malabu–Belel, Girei–WuroBokki, Gurin–Fufore, Jam Terry, Maiha, Jimeta Waterside, and the Mubi–Sahuda axis. Two vehicles used in transporting the products were also impounded.
Ejibunu also issued a warning to those who attack Customs personnel while on lawful duty, stressing that the Service would not hesitate to act decisively.
“The Service will not tolerate any form of aggression against its officers. Such acts are criminal and will be met with the full force of the law,” he warned.
On his part, Comptroller Garba Bature Bashir, Area Comptroller for Adamawa/Taraba Command, commended officers for their commitment to Operation Whirlwind, noting that smuggling undermines the nation’s economy.
“Smuggling undermines economic growth, threatens national security, and erodes citizens’ welfare. This fight is not for Customs alone, but a shared responsibility. With collaboration and intelligence sharing, we can defeat this menace.”
Bashir urged the media and patriotic Nigerians to intensify public awareness and share timely intelligence to curb the illegal trade.
Also present were Deputy National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Ike Oladeji, and State Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Bashir Sirajo, both of whom lauded the officers’ dedication and called for zero tolerance for violence against personnel.
The NCS further announced that the seized PMS would be resold to the public at N10,000 per 25-litre jerrycan, in line with federal directives aimed at easing fuel scarcity and hardship in the country.
This article was originally posted at sweetcrudereports.com
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