The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a major fuel-smuggling operation in Adamawa and Taraba States, revealing how smugglers increasingly exploit commercial trucks and branded goods to illegally move subsidised petrol out of the country.

Customs officials from the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command paraded the seized items in Yola on Tuesday, highlighting the growing sophistication of smugglers who disguise fuel consignments under everyday consumer brands.

Details of the Seizure:

• On January 10, 2026, officers intercepted a Pepsi Cola–branded Mercedes-Benz 911 truck along the Ndaforo–Abong axis in Taraba State. The vehicle, disguised as a beverage delivery truck, was carrying 625 jerrycans of petrol (PMS).
• Other smuggling routes under surveillance include Mubi–Sahuda, Daware–Fufore, Fufore–Gurin, and Wuro Bokki, where smugglers often operate at night to evade detection.
• In total, the Command seized 1,868 jerrycans and a large drum containing roughly 50,495 litres of petrol, alongside bales of secondhand clothing, with a Duty Paid Value of over N58 million.

Customs Response:

Comptroller M.A. Tako, Area Controller, emphasized that the Service will no longer tolerate the use of branded trucks, food and beverage vehicles, or other commercial disguises for smuggling. Those caught face prosecution under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

He added that intelligence-led surveillance across border communities has been intensified, warning smugglers that “no route is safe and no disguise will protect offenders”.

The Service praised the vigilance of its officers, acknowledged collaboration with sister security agencies, and called on the public to support efforts to curb fuel smuggling, which continues to drain Nigeria’s resources.