The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its crackdown on petroleum smugglers in the northeastern states of Adamawa and Taraba, generating a duty-paid value of ₦195,719,930 from seized petroleum products over a four-month period.
Comptroller Garba Bashir, who leads the Adamawa and Taraba Command, made this known while addressing journalists in Yola. He declared an all-out war against petroleum smuggling, describing it as a major threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security.
“This is a critical period of our national life and all hands must be on deck to support the government because we cannot afford to get it wrong at this point in time of our national history,” he said.
The Customs boss emphasized that the illegal exportation of petroleum products not only disrupts the domestic supply chain but also imposes significant hardship on citizens.
“This illicit trade underlines our domestic fuel supply chain and also poses a direct challenge to our national security,” he added.
Despite the government’s ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at ensuring fuel availability and stabilizing the energy sector, Bashir said that “unpatriotic elements” continue to exploit porous borders for illegal gains.
“Despite the well-articulated economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration… some unpatriotic elements, driven by unconscionable profit motives, remain determined to undermine these efforts through increasingly complex smuggling operations across our borders.”
He further stressed that the diversion of fuel meant for local consumption to neighboring countries undermines national interests.
“It should be emphasised that these products intended for domestic use were being systematically diverted to neighbouring countries through illegal routes and waterways.”
Reaffirming the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to protecting the economy, Bashir said:
“Let it be clearly understood that the Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute and unshakeable in its mandate to protect our national economy and maintain the integrity of our borders.”
He vowed to deploy more resources and adopt stricter measures to deter economic saboteurs from operating within the command.
During the review period, the command also seized tankers, trailers, and vehicles transporting petroleum products, along with contraband such as elephant tusks and alcoholic beverages.
In a historic move, the Adamawa/Taraba Command is now prosecuting suspects involved in these smuggling operations at the Federal High Court in Yola—a first for the command.