NCS Hands Over Five Suspected Diverted Diesel Tankers To NMDPRA For Investigation

By Samuel Egbewole 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over five tanker trucks conveying suspected diverted diesel to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further investigation following concerns over possible regulatory violations.

The Public Relations Officer of Operation Whirlwind, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, said the five tankers were intercepted at about 11 p.m. on July 6 following credible intelligence.

He identified the trucks by their registration numbers as BBR 634 XA, BRK 828 MF, YLA 243 XU, KTN 278 XZ and MUS 134 BX, adding that they were subsequently deposited at Tasha Joli, opposite 33 Military Barracks, Maiduguri.

Aliyu explained that preliminary checks on the Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, raised concerns about possible irregularities and breaches of regulatory requirements. This prompted the decision to hand over the tankers to the NMDPRA for further investigation and appropriate administrative action.

He disclosed that the handover was carried out on October 23, following a directive from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.

According to Aliyu, the operation demonstrated the NCS’s commitment to curbing the illegal movement, diversion and smuggling of petroleum products through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with relevant agencies.

He added that the Service was intensifying efforts nationwide to identify, track and dismantle networks involved in petroleum product diversion and smuggling.

“Operation Whirlwind remains steadfast in its commitment to proactive, intelligence-led operations and decisive enforcement,” he said.

The national coordinator assured the public that enforcement activities would be conducted professionally and in accordance with the law.

He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Service’s management, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the NMDPRA and Operation Whirlwind personnel for their support and contributions to the operation.

Aliyu noted that the outcome of the investigation would determine the next administrative steps.