Nigeria Customs Service’s Operation Whirlwind has intercepted 71,965 liters of petrol allegedly smuggled from Adamawa and Taraba States to neighboring Cameroon. The seized fuel, valued at over ₦81 million, represents a significant step in the agency’s intensified campaign against fuel smuggling.

During a press briefing held at the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command headquarters on Wednesday, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Husseini Ejibunu, detailed the operation’s achievements. Among the confiscated items were 1,124 jerry cans of various capacities (25, 40, and 60 liters), 53 drums holding 200 liters each, and 21,000 liters of petrol transported in two tankers.

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Ejibunu also revealed that 14 fuel tankers were intercepted for their suspected involvement in diversion and smuggling activities. Of these, 13 tankers were handed over to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Yola for further investigations, while one was referred to NMDPRA in Taraba State.

He noted that these efforts have contributed to stabilizing petrol supplies in Adamawa State, reaffirming the Customs Service’s dedication to curbing illegal fuel marketing and ensuring regulatory compliance in the petroleum sector.

Operation Whirlwind’s ongoing efforts reflect a robust commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s resources from cross-border smuggling, which undermines economic stability and fuel availability in affected regions.