Customs Hands Over Five Tankers Carrying Suspected Diverted Diesel to NMDPRA

Customs Hands Over Five Tankers Carrying Suspected Diverted Diesel to NMDPRA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through Operation Whirlwind, has handed over five tanker trucks conveying suspected diverted Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further investigation and regulatory action.

The handover, which took place on Friday, October 23, 2026, followed the interception of the trucks by Operation Whirlwind operatives on July 6, 2026, at about 11 p.m. in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The trucks, with registration numbers BBR 634 XA, BRK 828 MF, YLA 243 XU, KTN 278 XZ and MUS 134 BX, were intercepted based on credible intelligence and subsequently deposited at Tasha Joli, opposite the 33 Military Barracks, Maiduguri.

According to the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, preliminary checks on the petroleum products raised concerns over possible irregularities and infractions, necessitating their transfer to the NMDPRA for further regulatory investigation and appropriate administrative action.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the National Coordinator, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency collaboration in tackling the illegal diversion, movement and smuggling of petroleum products.

He warned individuals and syndicates involved in petroleum-related economic crimes that the authorities were intensifying efforts to disrupt their activities.

“The tide is turning against petroleum smuggling, illegal diversion and all associated economic crimes,” he said.

The coordinator reaffirmed Operation Whirlwind’s commitment to strengthening surveillance, improving intelligence gathering and intensifying enforcement operations to identify and dismantle networks involved in the illegal movement of petroleum products.

He added that all operations would be conducted professionally, in strict compliance with the law and in accordance with established procedures.

The coordinator also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs and the management of the NCS for their continued support for Operation Whirlwind. He equally acknowledged the contributions of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the NMDPRA and personnel of the operation.

He said sustained cooperation among relevant agencies remained essential to protecting Nigeria’s petroleum resources, safeguarding the integrity of the petroleum supply chain and preventing economic sabotage.

The handover, he noted, underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that the country’s strategic petroleum resources were managed and utilised in the interest of Nigerians.

Operation Whirlwind is expected to sustain its enforcement activities across its operational areas, with a focus on intelligence sharing, surveillance and coordinated action against the illegal diversion and smuggling of petroleum products.

The NMDPRA is to conduct further regulatory investigations into the intercepted consignments and take appropriate administrative action based on its findings.