The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has handed over five tanker trucks conveying suspected diverted Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, for investigation.
The handover was done on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Borno/Yobe Area Command Headquarters in Maiduguri.
The trucks were intercepted on July 6, 2026, by Operation Whirlwind, a special operation of the NCS, based on credible intelligence.
Speaking at the ceremony, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Aliyu, said the operation remains committed to combating illegal diversion and smuggling of petroleum products.
“The tide is turning against petroleum smuggling, illegal diversion, and all associated economic crimes,” Aliyu warned those involved in the illicit trade.
He said the operation would strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering and intensify enforcement to stop illegal movement of petroleum products.
The five tankers bear registration numbers BBR 634 XA, BRK 828 MF, YLA 243 XU, KTN 278 XZ and MUS 134 BX.
Aliyu said handing over the trucks to the NMDPRA will allow for further investigation into the suspected diversion and establish the circumstances surrounding their movement, adding that collaboration between the NCS, NMDPRA and other security agencies remains key to safeguarding petroleum resources.
He affirmed that Operation Whirlwind would sustain its enforcement efforts and intelligence-led operations to prevent unauthorized movement of petroleum products across the country.
