The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under ”Operation Whirlwind” intercepted two fuel tankers containing 120,000 litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) diverted from the original locations to Sokoto State.

The operation’s national coordinator, ACG Kola Oladeji, told  journalists on Friday in Sokoto that the vehicles were apprehended along Sokoto-Illea road.

Mr Oladeji said the trucks loaded with 60,000 litres each of PMS were originally documented for Kano, adding that they were apprehended on October 4, 2025 in Sokoto State.

He said drivers of the vehicles with registration numbers DKA 309 XA and GSW 321 XA have absconded leaving the vehicles.

Mr Oladeji said the fuel tankers loaded with PMS were suspected to be diverted for smuggling through Illela border.

” They were apprehended on the offenses of irregular routing and documentation anomalies which contravene the law.

” Fuel diversion is not just economic crime, it is a direct assault on the national development, energy security and welfare of citizens,” he said.

According to him, their operations have helped  to witness a stable and sufficient supply of PMS, reducing scarcity and price instability.

He added that Operation Whirlwind remains resolute in its mission to detect, deter and dismantle such illicit activities.

Mr Oladeji handed over the loaded trucks to Ali Ajimi, the Sokoto/Kebbe states coordinator of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Receiving the vehicles, Mr Ajimi lauded NCS operatives on the stride and assured continued working synergy against smuggling and other crimes in the country. 

(NAN)