By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Yola, Adamawa State – In a decisive strike against cross-border fuel smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service recently intercepted a massive consignment of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being transported via the River Benue into the Republic of Cameroon. The operation, which took place earlier in November 2025, is among the largest anti-fuel smuggling efforts recorded in Adamawa State in recent months.
The intelligence-driven operation was carried out under the leadership of the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, ACG Kolapo Oladeji. Ribadu Loading Bay, a notorious route frequently used for illicit fuel movement into neighbouring countries, was the focus of covert surveillance.
“As the smugglers began transferring the products onto the vessel, our team moved in and issued commands to halt,” ACG Oladeji said. “Given the terrain and visibility challenges, securing the contraband and preventing the boat from escaping across the international waterway was our priority.”
A follow-up sweep, supported by the North-Eastern Marine Command, uncovered a second wooden boat already loaded with petrol-filled drums and jerrycans. Both vessels were piloted to Jimeta waterside in Yola, where their contents were evacuated into trucks and moved to a secured Customs facility for documentation.
A thorough 100 per cent examination later revealed 485 drums of 220 litres each and 83 jerrycans of 25 litres each, amounting to a total of 108,775 litres of PMS. “Given the volatile nature of the product, prompt conduct of a public auction in accordance with established guidelines was recommended to NCS Headquarters,” ACG Oladeji added.
The National Coordinator emphasized that the operation demonstrates the Service’s renewed commitment to suppress cross-border fuel smuggling, protect Nigeria’s economic interests, and enforce government regulations along border waterways. He warned that smuggling PMS across northern and eastern waterways remains a major threat to national energy security, as large quantities are often ferried into neighbouring countries for illegal profit.
