Customs Officers Attacked, ₦95.7M in Smuggled Fuel Seized in Adamawa Crackdown

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a daring escalation of their fight against economic sabotage, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Operation Whirlwind has intercepted 69,375 liters of smuggled petroleum products valued at ₦95,695,000 in Zone D, Adamawa State, over the past six weeks.

The operation, however, was overshadowed by a brutal attack on customs officers, underscoring the perilous conditions faced by law enforcement in their mission to curb smuggling and protect Nigeria’s economic sovereignty.

Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Hussein Ejibunu, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, addressed the media in Yola on behalf of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, detailing the significant seizure and the violent incident.

The operation, driven by credible intelligence, targeted notorious smuggling routes in Adamawa, including Malabu–Belel, Girei–Wuro Bokki, Gurin–Fufore, Jamtari, Maiha, Jimeta Waterside, and Mubi–Sahuda axes. Operatives confiscated 2,276 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 19 jerrycans of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), totaling 69,375 liters, along with two vehicles used for smuggling. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items stands at ₦95,695,000.

At a time when the nation grapples with energy distribution challenges, these illicit activities pose economic and safety risks, particularly in border communities

Ejibunu highlighted the broader implications of smuggling, noting that the diversion of such large volumes of PMS and AGO through unauthorized channels not only results in significant revenue losses but also exacerbates Nigeria’s strained fuel supply chain.

“At a time when the nation grapples with energy distribution challenges, these illicit activities pose economic and safety risks, particularly in border communities,” he said. The smuggled fuel, intended for illegal export or distribution to neighboring countries, threatens national security and undermines efforts to stabilize domestic fuel availability.

The briefing took a grave turn as Ejibunu recounted a disturbing incident on July 16, 2025, during an intelligence-driven enforcement mission in Adamawa. Customs officers were ambushed by a violent mob and smugglers who barricaded access roads with sticks, stones, and other harmful objects.

The situation escalated into a premeditated assault, with operatives subjected to physical attacks using sticks, stones, and daggers. In a chilling act, the assailants doused an operational vehicle with fuel, threatening to set it and the officers ablaze.

Despite efforts to de-escalate and retreat, the chaos resulted in serious injuries to Operative CAII Isah Mohammed, vandalism of an official vehicle, and the tragic death of one attacker, who succumbed to injuries from a ricocheted bullet during crowd dispersal efforts.

Ejibunu condemned the attack as a direct assault on the authority of the NCS and a betrayal of community values. “These officers are not just uniforms; they are human beings with families, sacrificing their safety to protect our nation,” he stated, emphasizing the emotional toll on officers’ loved ones and the broader implications for national integrity.

These officers are not just uniforms; they are human beings with families, sacrificing their safety to protect our nation

Citing Section 240, subsection 3(a) of the NCS Act 2023, Ejibunu noted that obstructing or assaulting customs officers is a punishable offense, carrying a fine of ₦5,000,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. The NCS has launched investigations in collaboration with other security agencies to identify and prosecute the perpetrators, signaling a zero-tolerance stance on violence against law enforcement.

Ejibunu called on community leaders, traditional rulers, and the public to support anti-smuggling efforts by providing timely intelligence and condemning criminal acts. “No grievance justifies violence,” he asserted, urging stakeholders to stand with law enforcement to protect Nigeria’s economic and security interests.

He praised the bravery and professionalism of Operation Whirlwind operatives, crediting their success to strong inter-agency collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and other partners.

Operation Whirlwind, launched in May 2024, has been a cornerstone of the NCS’s efforts to combat petroleum smuggling, which has surged due to economic disparities and the lure of quick profits. Previous reports indicate the operation has intercepted significant volumes of PMS and other contraband across Nigeria, including 199,495 liters valued at ₦199,495,000 in Adamawa on January 30, 2025, and 916 kegs worth ₦22.9 million on March 14, 2025.

These seizures reflect the NCS’s use of advanced surveillance technology, such as border-monitoring cameras in Abuja, and intelligence-driven tactics to disrupt smuggling networks.

The NCS has also noted evolving smuggling tactics, including daylight operations, community-based storage, and modified vehicles with concealed compartments, prompting the deployment of specialized response teams and enhanced community engagement.

There is no safe haven for economic saboteurs. We will not relent, retreat, or compromise in our mission to safeguard Nigeria’s economy

Ejibunu reiterated that the service remains committed to dismantling smuggling cartels, ensuring that petroleum products meant for domestic consumption reach Nigerians, and protecting government revenue.

Ejibunu expressed gratitude to Comptroller-General Adeniyi, ONSA, NMDPRA, and patriotic Nigerians for their unwavering support. He issued a stern warning to smugglers: “There is no safe haven for economic saboteurs. We will not relent, retreat, or compromise in our mission to safeguard Nigeria’s economy.” The NCS plans to auction the seized PMS to the public at a subsidized rate, with proceeds remitted to the federal government, as per the Customs Act.

Together, we can build a safer and more prosperous Nigeria

As investigations into the July 16 attack continue, the NCS called for collective action to combat smuggling and ensure economic stability. “Together, we can build a safer and more prosperous Nigeria,” Ejibunu concluded, reaffirming the service’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a deregulated fuel market.