Customs Hands Over 60,000 Litres Seized Fuel to NMDPRA in Katsina
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over a tanker loaded with 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Katsina, following its interception by operatives of Operation Whirlwind, a special anti-smuggling task force of the Service.
The handover ceremony, which took place on Thursday, November 7, 2025, marked another milestone in the ongoing nationwide crackdown on fuel smuggling and diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption.
The tanker, with registration number KBT 226 XA, was intercepted on September 30 along the Jibia Road in Katsina State while allegedly heading toward a border community. It was seized after operatives discovered it was carrying a fake manifest and other improper documentation.
Speaking on behalf of the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Kola Oladeji, the Commander in charge of the Kano/Jigawa and Katsina axis, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Saad Yahaya, said the operation underscores the Service’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and ensuring fuel intended for local consumption does not end up in neighboring countries.
“Our actions demonstrate the Service’s determination to protect national energy security by preventing the diversion of petroleum products meant for Nigerian citizens,” Yahaya stated.
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Quoting the Public Relations Officer of the Katsina Command, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I. Bello Isah, the Service described the operation as “a decisive step in enforcing government directives against fuel smuggling and ensuring that petroleum products remain within the Nigerian market.”
During the official handover, ACG Oladeji reaffirmed Customs’ readiness to collaborate closely with relevant agencies, especially the NMDPRA, to promote transparency and accountability in the downstream petroleum sector.
“This handover underscores our collective determination to combat economic sabotage and strengthen inter-agency cooperation. We want to make it clear that fuel diversion will not be tolerated,” he added.
Receiving the seized product, Engineer Abdullahi Musa, who represented the NMDPRA State Coordinator, commended the Customs Service for its vigilance and sustained enforcement efforts. He noted that the synergy between both agencies is vital to sanitising the downstream sector and curbing illegal fuel movements.
Engineer Musa assured that the tanker and its contents would undergo further regulatory scrutiny and be processed in accordance with established procedures.
The Nigeria Customs Service, through Operation Whirlwind, reiterated its commitment to intensifying the fight against smuggling, economic sabotage, and other illegal activities undermining the nation’s energy supply chain. It also urged members of the public to provide credible information that could aid ongoing enforcement operations.
By PRNigeria
