By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Operation Whirlwind unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has smashed a cartel of smugglers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, in Kan-Iyaka border communities of Sardauna Local Government Area, Taraba State.
The Comptroller General of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who disclosed this in Jalingo, revealed that a total of 34, 470 litres of petrol and a special-purpose transportation truck used for smuggling were confiscated from smugglers in an intelligence based-operation that lasted barely three hours.
Adeniyi further explained that the operation was carried out in partnership with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and with technical support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
According to Adeniyi: “Our inter-agency intelligence fusion centre identified unusual movement patterns across the Dorofi and Kan-Iyaka axis between March 8 and 9, 2025.
“Acting on this intelligence mosaic, field teams executed a series of coordinated interceptions that disrupted what appears to be an emerging smuggling corridor.
“The operational outcomes from these intelligence-led interventions led to seizure of 1,149 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), each containing 30 litres, yielding a total volume of 34,470 litres.
“The seizure, including a sophisticated transportation vehicle valued at N4 million, represents a total Duty Paid Value of N37, 780,600.”
Adeniyi also emphasised that smugglers are threats to the nation’s national security and should be of interest to all security agencies.
He urged residents of the state and other stakeholders to cooperate with the government to ensure the gains recorded in the petroleum distribution system for local consumption is not reversed.