The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1,149 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) allegedly smuggled through the Dorofi and Kan Iyaka areas along the Gembu-Cameroon border in Taraba.
This was announced on Friday, March 14, by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, during the public auction of the seized petroleum products in Jalingo.
Adeniyi revealed that the operation, named ‘Operation Whirl Wind,’ which uncovered the smuggling ring, took place between March 8 and 9, 2025. He explained that the operation was based on credible intelligence and was carried out in collaboration with other agencies.
“Our intelligence-led operations have disrupted a smuggling route along the Gembu-Dorofi-Kan Iyaka-Cameroon border,” Adeniyi stated. “We remain committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s fuel does not end up in neighboring countries illegally, undermining our economy.”
The Comptroller General further added that the seized petroleum products, contained in 30-liter jerrycans, totaled approximately 34 million liters. He also mentioned that a special-purpose transportation vehicle, valued at N4 million, was seized, bringing the total duty-paid value of the operation to over N37 million.
Adeniyi acknowledged that the rough terrain of the area had made smuggling more prevalent but assured that efforts are underway to deploy technology for real-time intelligence and surveillance to improve the tracking and interception of illegal activities.