Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, has approved the sale of seized Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS, to Yola residents in Adamawa State at a subsidised rate, with proceeds remitted to the Federation Account.

In a statement from Customs PRO, this follows the recent seizure of petroleum products by operatives of Operation Whirlwind in the Adamawa-Taraba region.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussain Ejibunu, said the idea would alleviate the impact of subsidy removal in the state, even as he commends Adeniyi and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for their support.

He said the products, intended for illegal export, were confiscated through intelligence and surveillance operations, significantly easing fuel scarcity in the region.

Ejibunu said the total seizure included 1,124 jerrycans (25, 40, and 60 litres), 53 drums (200 litres each), and 21,000 litres transported in two tankers, amounting to 71,965 litres, valued at over N81.5 million.

He added that most of the seizures occurred along the Cameroon-Nigeria border.

He stated: “In a collaborative effort, the Service transferred 13 of the 14 intercepted tankers to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Yola.”

However, he confirmed that a suspect linked to smuggling activities had been arrested and is currently facing prosecution.

He stated: “Operation Whirlwind had helped stabilise the fuel supply in Adamawa State, reducing scarcity and price volatility. The operation’s broader strategy aims to curb the activities of illegal oil bunkerers and marketers.”

The Customs Area Controller, CAC Adamawa/Taraba Command, Comptroller Garba Bashir, stressed the need for collaboration among all stakeholders.

Bashir stated: “This fight requires collective responsibility.”