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.

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

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

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

Mr Aliyu said that preliminary checks on the Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, raised concerns about possible irregularities and regulatory violations, prompting the handover to NMDPRA for further investigation and appropriate administrative action.

He said the handover was carried out on October 23 on the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.

According to him, the interception demonstrates the service’s commitment to tackling the illegal movement, diversion and smuggling of petroleum products through intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration.

He added that the service is intensifying efforts to track and dismantle networks involved in petroleum products diversion and smuggling nationwide.

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

Mr Aliyu assured the public that enforcement activities would be conducted professionally and in accordance with the law.

He commended the comptroller-general, the service’s management, the office of the National Security Adviser, NMDPRA and Operation Whirlwind personnel for their support.

He said that the outcome of the investigation would determine the next administrative steps.

 (NAN )