Okay News reports that operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted a large quantity of petrol being smuggled along the River Benue corridor of Adamawa State into the Republic of Cameroon.
The seizure represents one of the biggest anti-fuel smuggling operations recorded in the northeastern Nigerian state in recent months.
In a Saturday statement, the agency revealed that the operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday, November 6, 2025, under the leadership of the National Coordinator Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller General Kolapo Oladeji. The Nigeria Customs Service is the federal government agency responsible for border security and revenue collection across Nigeria’s land and maritime borders.
The statement reads: “The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a large consignment of Premium Motor Spirit being smuggled through the River Benue into the Republic of Cameroon, marking one of the biggest anti-fuel smuggling operations recorded in Adamawa State in recent months.” Premium Motor Spirit is the technical term for petrol in Nigeria.
ACG Oladeji stated that the development was made possible after a special tactical team mounted a covert surveillance position near Ribadu Loading Bay, a notorious route known for illicit fuel movement into Cameroon. The loading bay, located along the River Benue in Adamawa State, has become a focal point for smuggling activities along Nigeria’s northeastern border.
“As the smugglers began transferring the products onto the vessel, the Customs team advanced and issued commands for them to halt,” the National Coordinator said. He added that given the terrain and visibility challenges, operatives prioritized securing the contraband and preventing the boat from escaping across the international waterway.
He stated that a further sweep of the area, supported by the North-Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, led to the discovery of a second wooden boat already laden with petrol-filled drums and jerrycans. The marine command specializes in patrolling Nigeria’s inland waterways to prevent smuggling and other illicit activities.
The two vessels, according to ACG Oladeji, were piloted to Jimeta waterside in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State in northeastern Nigeria, where their contents were evacuated into trucks and moved to a secured Customs facility for documentation. The careful handling reflects the dangerous nature of petroleum products when transported in large quantities.
A 100 percent examination later revealed a staggering haul of 485 drums of 220 litres each and 83 jerrycans of 25 litres each, amounting to a total of 108,775 litres of PMS. The volume underscores the scale of fuel smuggling operations along Nigeria’s porous borders with neighbouring countries.
“Given the volatile nature of the product, prompt conduct of a public auction in accordance with established guidelines was recommended to NCS Headquarters,” ACG Oladeji highlighted. The recommendation follows standard procedures for handling seized petroleum products to prevent storage risks and environmental hazards.
The National Coordinator said the operation reflects the Service’s renewed resolve to suppress cross-border smuggling of petroleum products, protect Nigeria’s economic interests, and enforce government regulations on fuel movement in the border regions. Nigeria has struggled with massive fuel smuggling due to subsidized petrol prices that make the product attractive for export to neighbouring countries.
He noted that smuggling PMS across Nigeria’s northern and eastern waterways has remained a major threat to national energy security, as the products are often ferried in large quantities into neighbouring countries for profiteering. Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Benin Republic have historically been destination points for smuggled Nigerian fuel.
Adamawa State shares a long border with Cameroon, making it a strategic location for smuggling activities. The River Benue, one of Nigeria’s major rivers, flows through multiple states and provides access to several border communities before continuing into Cameroon.
