The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over five tanker trucks carrying 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 issued in Lagos on Friday.
The National Coordinator of the operation, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, said the trucks were intercepted at about 11 p.m. on July 6 following credible intelligence.
The vehicles, 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.
Aliyu said preliminary checks on the Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, raised concerns about possible irregularities and regulatory violations, prompting the handover to the NMDPRA for further investigation and appropriate administrative action.
He said the transfer, carried out on October 23, followed a directive from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.
Aliyu said the operation formed part of efforts to curb the diversion and smuggling of petroleum products through intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration.
He assured the public that enforcement activities would be conducted professionally and in accordance with the law, adding that the outcome of the investigation would determine the next administrative steps.
He also commended the Customs management, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the NMDPRA and Operation Whirlwind personnel for their support.
