In an unwavering offensive against the relentless menace of fuel smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its strategic enforcement unit Operation Whirlwind, has yet again delivered a crippling blow to illicit fuel traffickers in Adamawa State. This latest clampdown has led to the interception of a staggering 916 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), with an estimated market value of ₦22.9 million.
The meticulously executed operation, conducted across notorious smuggling corridors in Maiha, Mubi, Gurin, and Belel, was officially unveiled at a press conference on March 14, 2025. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi—represented by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Hussein Ejibunu—disclosed that the seized contraband comprised 22,900 litres of PMS, each keg containing 25 litres.
ACG Ejibunu underscored the intelligence-driven nature of the mission, lauding its precise execution as a testament to the Nigeria Customs Service’s unflinching commitment to preserving the nation’s economic integrity and ensuring adherence to trade protocols.
This decisive action follows closely on the heels of another high-impact interception along the Taraba smuggling axis. On March 13, 2025, Comptroller-General Adeniyi, alongside his executive team, confirmed the seizure of 1,149 jerrycans of PMS in Gembu, Taraba State—amounting to a colossal 34,470 litres of illicit fuel.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering resolve to eradicate fuel smuggling, a menace that continues to pose a dire threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security.
National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Hussein Ejibunu said the motivations fuelling PMS smuggling, citing economic disparities and the lure of swift profits as primary drivers. However, under the firm leadership of Comptroller-General Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in dismantling these illicit networks, making fuel smuggling an unprofitable and perilous venture while ensuring economic saboteurs are brought to justice.
Ejibunu commended the operatives involved in the crackdown, expressing, “I extend my profound appreciation to the officers and men of Operation Whirlwind for their courage, unyielding vigilance, and professional execution. Your dedication reinforces public confidence in our capacity to safeguard Nigeria’s economic sovereignty.”
He further urged the citizenry to heighten their awareness and report any suspicious smuggling activities to the nearest Customs outpost, emphasising that the battle against economic subversion demands collective vigilance and cooperation.
