The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1,149 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, allegedly smuggled through the Dorofi and Kan Iyaka axis along the Gembu-Cameroon border in Taraba State.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday, March 14, during the public auction of the seized petroleum products in Jalingo. He revealed that the operation, codenamed ‘Operation Whirl Wind,’ was conducted between March 8 and 9, 2025, based on credible intelligence and in collaboration with other security agencies.
Adeniyi stated, “Our intelligence-led operations have disrupted an emerging smuggling corridor along the Gembu-Dorofi-Kan Iyaka-Cameroon border. We remain committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s fuel does not end up in neighboring countries illegally at the expense of our economy.”
The seized petroleum products, contained in 30-liter jerrycans, amounted to approximately 34,470 liters. Additionally, a special-purpose transportation vehicle valued at N4 million was confiscated, bringing the total duty-paid value of the seizure to over N37 million.
Adeniyi acknowledged the challenges posed by the difficult terrain in the area, which has contributed to the prevalence of smuggling activities. He emphasized the NCS’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance real-time intelligence and surveillance, improving the agency’s ability to track and intercept illegal operations.
“The rough landscape is a challenge, but we are working towards deploying technology to enhance real-time intelligence and surveillance, which will improve our ability to track and intercept illegal activities,” he said.
The interception underscores the NCS’s ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and protect Nigeria’s economic resources.
