Customs foils fuel smuggling attempt, confiscates 41,425L in Adamawa-Cameroon border

By Adeyanju Esther

The Operation Whirlwind arm of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has confiscated a total of 41,425 litres of petrol from smugglers operating mostly around international borderlines of Adamawa and neighbouring Cameroon Republic.

The Operation Whirlwind National Coordinator, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Yola on Wednesday.

He said nine vehicles that the smugglers used in conveying the contraband were also seized.

Ejibunu mentioned that the seizures were made between May this year and now.

Giving an update in seizures during the news briefing at the Adamawa/Taraba Zonal headquarters of the NCS in Yola, Ejibunu stated, “Today, we have another seizure of 1,481 kegs (Jerry cans) and 20 drums, containing 25 litres each and 220 litres respectively, which translate into 41,425 litres of PMS (petrol).”

He noted that the containers of petrol were seized with nine means of conveyance, being different brands of cars fitted with petrol-carrying tankers hidden by thickly tinted windscreens.

Ejibunu explained that the seizures were of the cumulative duty value of N48,547,500.

“These interceptions were made on different dates and locations across Mubi-Sahuda road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha road, Angwan Tana-Bajin Kogi axis, and other places,” he added.

He further stated that Customs operatives working under the auspices of Operation Whirlwind act in collaboration with NMDPRA in monitoring the supply and distribution chain from the depot of loading up to retail outlets, to ensure PMS reaches designated destinations.