The Nigeria Customs Service has seized 38,700 litres of petrol valued at N63.1m in Adamawa State during a six-week operation targeting petroleum smugglers.
The seizure, carried out under Operation Whirlwind, comprised 1,548 jerrycans containing 25 litres of Premium Motor Spirit each and a vehicle allegedly used to transport the product. The combined duty-paid value of the seized petrol and vehicle was put at N63.115m.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, disclosed this at a press conference in Yola on Wednesday, saying the operation was part of efforts to prevent the illegal movement of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders.
Aliyu said the intelligence-driven operations targeted identified smuggling routes across Adamawa State over the preceding six weeks.
According to him, the routes covered included the Malabu-Belel, Girei-Wuro Bokki, Gurin-Fufore, Wuro Alhaji-Maiha and Mubi-Sahuda axes in Zone D.
He said the operations were aimed at disrupting the activities of smugglers, preventing the illegal diversion of petroleum products and protecting the national economy from losses associated with cross-border trafficking.
Aliyu warned that the smuggling of petrol could undermine domestic supply, particularly when distribution challenges affect availability in local markets.
He stressed that petroleum products supplied for the Nigerian market should remain within the country rather than being diverted to neighbouring nations.
The Customs official said the agency would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to tackle the illegal movement of petroleum products and strengthen enforcement along identified routes.
He added that the seized petrol would be auctioned to the public because of its inflammable nature, in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act.
According to him, proceeds from the auction would be remitted to the Federation Account.
The decision to auction the product, rather than keep it in storage for an extended period, was linked to the safety risks associated with holding large quantities of inflammable materials.
The seizure comes amid continuing efforts by government agencies to prevent the diversion of petroleum products from the domestic market to neighbouring countries, where differences in pump prices can make smuggling financially attractive.
The Adamawa State Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Dr Bashir Sirajo, identified price differences between Nigeria and neighbouring countries as a major factor driving the practice.
Sirajo said the disparities created incentives for traders to move petrol across borders illegally, despite the potential consequences for domestic supply and distribution.
He warned that the diversion of petroleum products could contribute to artificial scarcity in communities, particularly those located near border areas.
According to him, when products intended for local consumption are moved illegally to other markets, residents in affected communities may face difficulties accessing supplies.
Sirajo expressed optimism that sustained cooperation between the NMDPRA and the Customs Service would help address the problem.
He said collaboration between the agencies was important in identifying illegal movements, improving enforcement and ensuring that petroleum products reached their intended destinations.
The latest operation highlights the challenges confronting authorities in monitoring petroleum distribution across border communities in Adamawa, where several routes can be used to transport goods between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
The seizure also demonstrates the scale of consignments that enforcement agencies may encounter while targeting suspected smuggling networks. However, the information provided by the authorities did not identify the owner of the seized vehicle, the individuals allegedly involved in transporting the petrol or whether any arrests had been made in connection with the operation.
No details were also provided on whether the seized consignment was linked to a particular smuggling network or whether further investigations were ongoing.
The Customs Service has continued to use targeted operations under Operation Whirlwind to intercept petroleum products suspected of being moved illegally across borders. The initiative is intended to support efforts to protect domestic supply and prevent the diversion of products meant for Nigerian consumers.
For border communities, the consequences of petroleum smuggling can extend beyond revenue losses, as the illegal movement of supplies may place additional pressure on local availability when demand is high.
West Trybe reports that the seizure of 38,700 litres of petrol in Adamawa underscores the continuing challenge of curbing cross-border petroleum smuggling, with effective enforcement and cooperation between the Customs Service and the NMDPRA remaining central to efforts to protect domestic supply and safeguard public revenue.
