The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through Operation Whirlwind, has handed over five tanker trucks conveying suspected diverted Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for further investigation and necessary administrative action.
The five trucks, with registration numbers BBR 634 XA, BRK 828 MF, YLA 243 XU, KTN 278 XZ and MUS 134 BX, were intercepted by operatives of Operation Whirlwind on July 6, 2026, at about 11 p.m., following credible intelligence.
The trucks were subsequently secured at Tasha Joli, opposite the 33 Military Barracks, Maiduguri, Borno State, pending further action.
The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, disclosed this during the handover ceremony held on Friday, October 23, 2026.
DC Aliyu said preliminary checks on the suspected diverted and transloaded petroleum products raised concerns about possible irregularities and regulatory violations, necessitating further investigation by the relevant authority.
He explained that the interception underscored the importance of intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and coordinated enforcement in tackling the illegal diversion, movement and smuggling of petroleum products.
The coordinator warned individuals and syndicates involved in petroleum-related crimes that the Service was intensifying efforts to disrupt their activities.
“This interception serves as a clear and unequivocal warning to individuals, syndicates and networks engaged in the illegal diversion, smuggling and other illicit activities involving petroleum products that the tide is turning against petroleum smuggling, illegal diversion and all associated economic crimes,” he said.
Aliyu reaffirmed Operation Whirlwind’s commitment to intelligence-led operations and decisive enforcement, noting that the initiative would continue to identify and intercept illicit activities, dismantle smuggling networks and curb the illegal movement of petroleum products.
He assured stakeholders that all operations would be conducted professionally, in strict compliance with the law and in accordance with established procedures.
The coordinator also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, GCG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the entire management of the NCS for their continued support for Operation Whirlwind.
He acknowledged the contributions of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the NMDPRA, and officers and men of Operation Whirlwind, praising their diligence and commitment to duty.
According to him, the handover reflects the Federal Government’s determination to protect Nigeria’s petroleum resources and ensure that they are utilised for the benefit of the country and its citizens.
He further assured the public that Operation Whirlwind would strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering, deepen inter-agency cooperation and intensify enforcement across its operational areas.
Aliyu stressed that sustained collaboration and vigilance remained essential to protecting Nigeria’s petroleum supply chain and preventing criminal networks from undermining the nation’s economic interests.
He reiterated the operation’s resolve to safeguard the country’s strategic economic assets and ensure that individuals and networks involved in petroleum smuggling and illegal diversion were denied opportunities to continue their activities.
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