Customs CG warns smugglers over attacks on officers in Adamawa

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has issued a stern warning to smugglers in Adamawa State and across the country, stating that his administration will no longer tolerate attacks or attempts to attack Customs officers on duty.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday in Yola, over a recent assault that left an officer wounded, the CG, represented by Deputy Comptroller General (Finance and Administration) and National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, DCG Kenyide Ejibunu, condemned the incident and cautioned that any further aggression would be met with decisive action.

According to him, the attack occurred on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Murjara, Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

“I must report a disturbing incident that occurred on Wednesday, 16th July 2025, during one of our intelligence-driven enforcement missions. While on official duty in Adamawa, our officers were ambushed by violent mobs and smugglers who barricaded access roads using sticks, stones, and other harmful objects.

What began as resistance to lawful enforcement escalated into a brutal and premeditated attack. Officers were physically assaulted with sticks, stones, and daggers. In a terrifying turn of events, the assailants doused an operational vehicle with fuel, threatening to set both vehicle and officers ablaze”, the CG stated.

Quoting the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, Section 240 Subsection 3(a), Ejibunu said: “Where any person obstructs, hinders, molests, or assaults an officer in the performance of any duty or the exercise of any power imposed or conferred on him, or any person acting in his aid in carrying out the provisions of this Act or any other customs and excise laws, [such a person] commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of ₦5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of five (5) years or both.”

He disclosed that despite officers’ efforts to retreat and de-escalate the situation, the attack led to serious injuries sustained by Operative Isah Mohammed and the vandalisation of an official vehicle. “There was also a casualty involving one of the attackers, who later succumbed to injuries sustained from a ricocheted bullet during crowd dispersal efforts,” he added.

Ejibunu described the incident as a calculated attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigeria Customs Service and destabilise efforts to secure the country’s borders.

“We stand in absolute condemnation of the unprovoked and deeply troubling attack on the officers while they were carrying out their lawful duties. Such a violent act is not only an affront to our shared humanity but a betrayal of community values and national integrity

To launch an assault on these individuals is to inflict pain not only on them but on their households and the nation at large. It is a violation of the trust we place in those who serve the public good, and it must be addressed with seriousness and justice”, he said.

He maintained that no grievance or frustration justifies violence against law enforcement personnel. On efforts to protect Nigeria’s economy, the CG disclosed that the Customs Service seized petroleum products worth ₦95.7 million in duty paid value (DPV) from smugglers in Adamawa and Taraba states over the last six weeks.

“Within the last six (6) weeks, our operatives achieved a significant breakthrough following credible intelligence reports. A total of 2,276 jerricans (25 litres each) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 19 jerricans (25 litres each) of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), yielding a combined volume of 69,375 litres, were intercepted at various notorious smuggling flashpoints, including the Malabu–Belel Axis, Girei–Wuro Bokki Axis, Gurin–Fufore Axis, Jamtari Axis, Maiha Axis, Jimeta Waterside, and Mubi–Sahuda Axis”, he added.

He added that the products, carefully concealed and prepared for illegal export or distribution to neighbouring countries, were intercepted before they could leave Nigerian soil.

“These petroleum products, carefully concealed and being prepared for illegal export or distribution to neighbouring countries, were intercepted along with two (2) vehicles being used as means of conveyance. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the intercepted petroleum products and the conveying vehicles is to the tune of ₦95,695,000. (Ninety-Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand Naira Only).”

The CGC pointed out that such volumes of PMS and AGO diverted through unauthorised channels pose not just economic risks, but also grave safety concerns, especially in border communities.

“Operation Whirlwind remains alert and steadfast in curbing such illicit activities that threaten national security”, he said.

He ordered that the seized petroleum products should be sold to members of the public at ₦ 10,000 per jerrican of 25 litres.