C’River: Customs seizes 14,375 litres of PMS bound for Cameroon

2026-03-04 - 18:46

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has auctioned 14,375 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intercepted by Operation Whirlwind in Calabar, the Cross River capital. The NCS disclosed this while briefing journalists yesterday in Calabar, adding that the total value of the intercepted fuel stands at ₦14 million. The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, described smuggling as an act of economic sabotage and warned that the service would not condone it in any form, as it causes untold hardship for ordinary Nigerians. He stated, “The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in its constitutional mandate to safeguard Nigeria’s economy, secure critical national assets, and combat all forms of smuggling and economic sabotage. In recent months, we have significantly intensified surveillance, intelligence gathering, and enforcement operations across strategic corridors notorious for the illegal diversion and cross-border smuggling of petroleum products.” According to Aliyu, Operation Whirlwind is a special anti-petroleum smuggling initiative designed to combat the illicit diversion of petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders. “The operation was established to protect the nation’s economic interests, safeguard national energy security, and ensure that petroleum products meant for domestic consumption are not illegally exported. Acting on credible intelligence, our operatives recently dismantled a coordinated network involved in the illegal exportation of Premium Motor Spirit to neighboring Cameroon. During the operation, we intercepted 235 jerry-cans of 25 litres each and 40 drums of 200 litres each, totaling 14,375 litres. “This was achieved through sustained surveillance and strategic interdictions across identified flashpoints including Ikang, Bakassi, Ikom, and Ikot-Idareka. The total Duty Paid Value of the seized petroleum products stands at ₦14,375,000. “The products we are auctioning today were intercepted through credible intelligence and diligent enforcement actions by officers of Operation Whirlwind and collaborating security agencies. These products were being diverted for illegal export, in clear violation of Nigeria’s laws governing the distribution and movement of petroleum products. Petroleum smuggling is not a victimless crime. It undermines the national economy, deprives the government of critical revenue, distorts the domestic supply chain, and creates artificial scarcity that brings hardship to ordinary Nigerians. Smuggling also empowers criminal networks that threaten national security and economic stability.” He added, “In line with the law and principles of transparency, accountability, and due process, the seized 14,375 litres of PMS are being disposed of through this public auction to ensure the product returns to the legitimate domestic supply chain rather than being diverted into illegal channels. The auction is conducted in the presence of relevant government agencies, security organizations, civil society representatives, and the media to guarantee openness and credibility. “Those still involved in the illegal smuggling of petroleum products should stop. The era of impunity is over. Operation Whirlwind remains resolute, proactive, and intelligence-driven. We will continue to track, intercept, and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate.” he said