The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 50,495 litres of petrol valued at ₦58,117,550 in Adamawa and Taraba states, following a series of intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations.
Briefing journalists in Yola on Tuesday, the Area Comptroller of the Adamawa/Taraba Command, Mr Mohammed Tako, said the fuel was discovered in 1,868 jerry cans and was suspected to be bound for illegal export.
Mr Tako said Customs officers also confiscated 10 bales and two sacks of second-hand clothing along the Mubi–Sahuda corridor.
He explained that the seizures were carried out at different locations and times, in accordance with laws empowering the Service to prevent the illegal movement of petroleum products and other prohibited goods.
According to him, 410 jerry cans of PMS were intercepted on 12 December 2025 along the Mubi–Sahuda axis, followed by another seizure of 362 jerry cans on 16 December along the Daware–Fufore route.
Further interceptions included 330 jerry cans seized on 31 December along the Fufore–Gurin axis, and 141 jerry cans alongside a 220-litre drum of petrol recovered at Wuro Bokki on 5 January.
Mr Tako added that on 10 January, Customs officers intercepted a Mercedes-Benz 911 truck carrying 625 jerry cans of petrol along the Ndaforo–Abong axis in Taraba State.
He said the operations were conducted under the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and warned that smugglers and their accomplices would be prosecuted.
“The Service has intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering across all border routes,” he said, adding that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
Mr Tako praised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his strategic direction, and acknowledged the support of other security agencies involved in the operations.
