The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 38,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, suspected to have been prepared for smuggling out of the country in Adamawa State.
The petroleum products, stored in 1,548 jerry cans of 25 litres each, were seized alongside a vehicle allegedly used in transporting the fuel during a six-week enforcement operation.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Customs House in Yola.
Aliyu said the seized petrol and vehicle had a combined Duty Paid Value of N63.115m.
He explained that the operation was intelligence-driven and focused on identified smuggling routes across the state.
According to him, the major routes targeted by the operation include Malabu-Belel, Girei-Wuro Bokki, Gurin-Fufore, Wuro Alhaji-Maiha and Mubi-Sahuda.
Aliyu said the interceptions formed part of efforts to curb the illegal movement of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders and protect domestic fuel supply.
In a message delivered at the briefing, the Adamawa State Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Dr Bashir Sirajo, attributed the persistence of petrol smuggling to price differences between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
READ ALSO: Customs Auctions 22,175 Litres Of Seized Petrol In Lagos
Sirajo said the disparity created financial incentives for unscrupulous individuals to divert petroleum products intended for domestic consumption.
He warned that the practice disrupted the local supply chain and could trigger artificial scarcity in border communities.
“Unscrupulous individuals divert petroleum products meant for Nigerians across the borders, distorting the domestic supply chain and creating artificial scarcity in border communities,” he said.
The NMDPRA coordinator, however, expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between his agency and the Nigeria Customs Service would help reduce petroleum smuggling.
The latest seizure underscores ongoing enforcement efforts by relevant agencies to prevent the diversion of petroleum products and ensure adequate supply within the country.