The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dealt a significant blow to fuel smuggling networks in Adamawa State, announcing the seizure of petroleum products valued at a staggering N181.6 million in a two-month operation. The seizures occurred along the volatile Nigeria-Cameroon border, a known corridor for illegal cross-border activities.
Operation Whirlwind Clamps Down on Border Smuggling
Addressing journalists at a news conference in Yola on Thursday, December 5, 2025, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Kolapo Oladeji, provided details of the crackdown. He revealed that the massive haul was the result of 55 separate anti-smuggling operations conducted over an eight-week period across various flashpoints in Adamawa State.
ACG Oladeji emphasized that the operation is a strategic component of the federal government's agenda for national energy and food security. "This operation is geared towards energy and food security to foster economic growth in line with the core mandates of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu," he stated. He added that operatives in Zone 'D' had been fully mobilized to make the border "airtight" against economic saboteurs.
Stiff Penalties and Public Auction of Seizures
In a stern warning to those involved in the illicit trade, the Customs chief declared that the supply chains of these "economic wreckers" would be decisively truncated. "This fight has no doubt helped in transforming the nation’s economy and strengthening security of our borders," Oladeji asserted.
He further announced that the seized petroleum products would be auctioned to the public. This position was strongly supported by Mrs. Abidemi Adewumi-Aluko, the Assistant Legal Adviser to the Attorney-General of the Federation, who was present at the briefing. She described the auction as a act of reclaiming national resources, ensuring the benefits of Nigeria's petroleum remain within the country.
Mrs. Adewumi-Aluko issued a grave legal caution, noting that such smuggling offences are treated with utmost severity. "Such offences attracted life imprisonment because they threatened national security," she stated, urging smugglers to immediately abandon their illegal activities.
NNPCL Announces Consecutive Fuel Price Reduction
In a related development offering relief to Nigerians, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) implemented a second reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, in less than a week. On Thursday, the price at NNPCL retail outlets in Abuja was observed to have dropped to N920 per litre from N930, a reduction of N10.
This adjustment follows an earlier price cut of N15 per litre which took effect on November 28, 2025. The new price was confirmed at stations in areas including Gwarimpa, Kubwa Expressway, and Wuse Zone 4.
Chinedu Ukadike, the National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), commented on the trend. He indicated that fuel prices are projected to continue their downward trajectory as competition among major players in the downstream oil sector intensifies, potentially bringing further economic relief to consumers.
