In a strategic move to ease the effects of subsidy removal, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the sale of seized Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to residents of Yola, Adamawa State, at subsidized rates. This directive, approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, aims to provide relief while remitting proceeds to the Federation Account.
The initiative follows a significant seizure of petroleum products by Operation Whirlwind, an intelligence-driven task force operating in the Adamawa-Taraba region. According to Comptroller Hussain Ejibunu, National Coordinator of the task force, the measure will help mitigate fuel scarcity in the region and stabilize prices. Ejibunu commended both Adeniyi and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for their unwavering support.
The confiscated haul includes:
- 1,124 jerrycans of 25, 40, and 60 liters each
- 53 drums of 200 liters
- 21,000 liters transported in two tankers
In total, the seized 71,965 liters of fuel are valued at over ₦81.5 million. Most of these products were intercepted along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, where they were intended for illegal export.
Ejibunu highlighted that 13 out of 14 seized tankers have been handed over to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Yola, ensuring proper distribution to benefit the local population.
A suspect linked to the smuggling activities is currently under prosecution, further demonstrating the Customs Service’s commitment to curbing illegal oil trade. Ejibunu noted that Operation Whirlwind has not only alleviated fuel shortages in Adamawa State but also reduced price volatility by disrupting illegal activities.
“This operation goes beyond addressing immediate scarcity,” Ejibunu explained. “It’s part of a broader strategy to eliminate the menace of oil bunkering and illegal marketing activities.”
Comptroller Garba Bashir, Customs Area Controller for the Adamawa/Taraba Command, emphasized the importance of a united front in the fight against fuel smuggling.
“This fight requires collective responsibility,” Bashir stated, urging stakeholders to work together for sustainable results.
