By Gwurld4026 
Customs Seize 1,149 Jerrycans of Smuggled Petrol
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its efforts to combat fuel smuggling along the Taraba-Cameroon border, leading to a significant seizure of smuggled petrol. In a recent operation, customs officials intercepted 1,149 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), each containing 30 liters, totaling 34,470 liters.
The operation, known as ‘Operation Whirlwind,’ was conducted between March 8 and 9, 2025, targeting smugglers operating in the Dorofi and Kan-Iyaka areas along the Gembu-Cameroon border in Taraba State. The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the operation was based on credible intelligence and executed in collaboration with other agencies, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
In addition to the seized petrol, a specialized transportation truck, valued at ₦4 million, was confiscated during the operation. The total duty-paid value of the seized items amounts to ₦37.78 million.
A significant portion of the smuggled petrol was intercepted in Gembu, the administrative headquarters of Sardauna Local Government Area, identified as a critical smuggling hub. Furthermore, 180 jerrycans and the transportation truck were seized en route to the Kan-Iyaka border crossing, a known transit route into Cameroon.
Comptroller General Adeniyi emphasized that fuel smuggling poses a serious threat to national security and economic stability, urging residents and stakeholders to support government efforts in curbing such activities. He highlighted that petrol is a key driver of the economy, and any disruption in its availability could slow down economic activities.