Operation Whirlwind intensifies crackdown on petroleum diversion, hands over five tankers to NMDPRA

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

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 regulatory action.

The handover was conducted on Friday, October 23, 2026, following the interception of the trucks by operatives of Operation Whirlwind on July 6, 2026, at about 11 p.m. in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Abubakar Aliyu, said the trucks were intercepted based on credible intelligence and subsequently deposited at Tasha Joli, opposite the 33 Military Barracks, Maiduguri.

The vehicles, with registration numbers BBR 634 XA, BRK 828 MF, YLA 243 XU, KTN 278 XZ and MUS 134 BX, were conveying petroleum products suspected to have been illegally diverted or transloaded.

Aliyu, who spoke on the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said preliminary checks on the consignments raised concerns about possible irregularities and regulatory infractions, necessitating their transfer to the NMDPRA for further examination.

He described the operation as evidence of the importance of intelligence gathering, information sharing and inter-agency collaboration in tackling the illegal movement, diversion and smuggling of petroleum products.

According to him, the interception sends a strong warning to individuals and criminal networks involved in the illicit petroleum trade that enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to disrupt their activities.

“The tide is turning against petroleum smuggling, illegal diversion and all associated economic crimes,” Aliyu said.

He reaffirmed Operation Whirlwind’s commitment to intelligence-led enforcement, adding that the unit would continue to identify and intercept suspected illegal petroleum movements, track illicit activities and dismantle smuggling networks across its operational areas.

The Deputy Comptroller-General stressed that the operations would be conducted professionally, in strict compliance with the law and in accordance with established procedures.

Aliyu also commended Adeniyi and the management of the NCS for their continued support for Operation Whirlwind, while acknowledging the contributions of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the NMDPRA and personnel of the operation.

He said the collaboration among relevant agencies remained critical to protecting Nigeria’s petroleum resources, safeguarding the integrity of the petroleum supply chain and ensuring that the country’s strategic economic assets were used for the benefit of Nigerians.

The Customs official assured the public that Operation Whirlwind would strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering, deepen inter-agency cooperation and intensify enforcement against the suspected diversion and smuggling of petroleum products.

He added that sustained vigilance and coordinated enforcement were necessary to deny criminal networks opportunities to undermine government efforts to protect national economic interests.

The handover to the NMDPRA is expected to facilitate further regulatory investigation and appropriate administrative action regarding the intercepted consignments.