Yola, Nigeria – March 14, 2025

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is stepping up its fight against fuel smuggling with the help of advanced technology and intelligence-driven strategies. In a recent operation under its special anti-smuggling unit, Operation Whirlwind, Customs intercepted 916 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Adamawa State, marking another milestone in its crackdown on illegal fuel trade.

Announcing the seizure at a press briefing in Yola, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Husseini Ejibunu, revealed that the confiscated PMS, totaling 22,900 liters, was intercepted at notorious smuggling hotspots, including Maiha, Mubi, Gurin, and Belel. With a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦22.9 million, the seized fuel was being transported through unauthorized routes for illicit trade, posing a significant threat to Nigeria’s economic stability.

Technology at the Forefront of the Fight Against Smuggling

Ejibunu emphasized that the recent successes recorded by Operation Whirlwind are largely due to the deployment of advanced surveillance technology, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and digital tracking systems. These tools enable Customs to monitor and disrupt illicit fuel movements across Nigeria’s porous borders.

“The Nigeria Customs Service is resolute in its mission to dismantle smuggling networks and bring economic saboteurs to justice,” he stated. “By leveraging cutting-edge technology, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with security agencies such as ONSA (Office of the National Security Adviser) and NMDPRA (Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority), we are staying ahead of criminal elements.”

This latest seizure follows a similar operation in Gembu, Taraba State, where Customs recently intercepted 1,149 jerrycans of PMS (34,470 liters). The back-to-back successes highlight the agency’s intensified crackdown on fuel smuggling, which has been driven by economic disparities and the lure of illegal profits.

Call for Public Support in the Fight Against Smuggling

Commending the bravery and vigilance of Customs officers, Ejibunu called on Nigerians to support the fight against smuggling by reporting suspicious activities to the nearest Customs office.

“The fight against smuggling is a collective responsibility,” he noted. “Together, we can create a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.”

The Assistant Comptroller of Customs reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy, assuring the public that Operation Whirlwind will continue to evolve with modern technology and intelligence-driven strategies.

With this latest bust in Adamawa, the Nigeria Customs Service has once again demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding national resources and cracking down on illicit trade.

As technology continues to play a crucial role in these operations, fuel smugglers will find it increasingly difficult to evade the watchful eyes of the law.