One Dead, Millions Seized As Smugglers Clash With Customs In Adamawa Fuel Bust
One person has died following a violent clash between suspected smugglers and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during a fuel seizure operation in Adamawa State.
The altercation, which occurred in Zone D of the state, unfolded as Customs officers intercepted a major petroleum smuggling ring worth nearly ₦96 million under the ongoing anti-smuggling initiative, Operation Whirlwind.
During a press briefing in Yola on Thursday, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind and representative of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi condemned the assault and unveiled details of the smuggling operation.
Ejibunu stated that within the past six weeks, officers acting on intelligence intercepted 2,276 jerricans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 19 jerricans of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), totaling approximately 69,375 litres.
The busts occurred across smuggling corridors including Malabu–Belel, Girei–Wuro Bokki, Gurin–Fufore, Jamtari, Maiha, Jimeta Waterside, and Mubi–Sahuda. Additionally, two vehicles used to transport the illegal products were confiscated. The total duty paid value (DPV) of the seizure amounted to ₦95,695,000.
Ejibunu described the seizure as a critical victory in the fight against economic sabotage and an essential step in safeguarding Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
However, the operation turned deadly on Wednesday, July 16, when suspected smugglers and sympathisers launched a coordinated attack against the Customs team. According to Ejibunu, the attackers blocked roads with sticks and stones, physically assaulted officers, and poured fuel on a patrol vehicle in an attempt to set it ablaze.
Customs Assistant II Isah Mohammed sustained serious injuries during the melee, and a patrol vehicle was badly damaged. One of the attackers was killed after being struck by a ricocheted bullet during efforts to disperse the hostile crowd.
Ejibunu cited Section 240(3a) of the NCS Act 2023, which criminalises obstruction, assault, or interference with Customs officers on duty. He stressed that such offenses carry penalties of up to ₦5 million in fines, five years in prison, or both.
Describing the incident as a “direct affront to national security,” Ejibunu reaffirmed the Service’s zero-tolerance stance on violence. “Our officers are not faceless uniforms—they are human beings with families, putting their lives at risk for the nation. Any attempt to harm them is an attack on all of us,” he said.
The Customs Service called on local communities, traditional rulers, and the general public to support its operations by rejecting smuggling and providing actionable intelligence.
“Let this serve as a final warning to all saboteurs—Customs will not retreat. We will not compromise. We will continue to dismantle every smuggling network threatening our nation’s economy and safety,” Ejibunu warned.
