The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said on Friday it intercepted a tanker loaded with 60,000 litres of petrol, suspected to be diverted to the border area in the state.

 The tanker, suspected to be enroute to the border area for smuggling, was intercepted on the Jibia Road on September 30 by the NCS’s special task force, ‘Operation Whirlwind.’

 The National Coordinator of the task force, ACG Kola Oladeji, disclosed this while handing over the tanker to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Katsina.

Mr Oladeji was represented by the Commander Kano/Jigawa and Katsina axis, AC Sa’ad Isah-Yahaya.

According to him, the success was recorded in a decisive move to curb the smuggling of petroleum products and enforce national energy regulations in the country.

He stated, “The interception, which took place during a coordinated patrol operation on Jibia Road, was part of the service’s ongoing efforts to combat the illicit diversion of petroleum products and protect Nigeria’s economic interest. The tanker, suspected to be enroute to a border area for possible smuggling, was apprehended based on the ground of fake manifest and improper documentation.’’

 Mr Oladeji reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to upholding government’s directives against fuel smuggling and ensuring that all petroleum products meant for domestic consumption remained in the country.

He said, “This handover underscores our determination to support national energy security and collaborate effectively with sister agencies like the NMDPRA. Together, we’re sending a strong message that economic sabotage through fuel diversion will not be tolerated.’’

He affirmed the commitment of the task force to the fight against smuggling, economic sabotage, and all acts capable of undermining the nation’s energy distribution framework.

 Receiving the tanker, the state NMDPRA Coordinator, Mohammed Omar, commended the NCS for its vigilance and inter-agency cooperation.

 He emphasised the importance of the synergy in sanitising the sector and appreciated the proactive role of the customs in intercepting illegal movements of petroleum products.

He said, “NMDPRA remains committed to ensuring proper monitoring, accountability, and compliance within the sector.”

(NAN)