Men of the Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted a truck carrying 60,000 litres of petrol worth over N60 million in Kebbi State.
The truck, with registration number NSR26ZL, was suspected to be smuggling the petroleum product out of the country when it was intercepted by customs operatives at the border area of the state.
According to Comptroller Mahmud Matawalle Ibrahim, who represented the national coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, ACG Dr. Kola Oladeji, the truck was originally meant to discharge its cargo in Borno State but was diverted to Kebbi for smuggling purposes.
“Upon our investigation, it was discovered that the product was originally meant to be discharged in Borno State but diverted to Kebbi to be smuggled out of the country,” he stated.
He handed over the seized petrol truck to the deputy manager of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Ali Ajimi.
At the handover, Ibrahim said, “The truck we are handing over today was suspected of diversion and was detained here at the Customs Area Command, Kebbi.”
The comptroller explained that the exercise is part of the efforts of the National Coordinator aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration and ensuring transparency in the handling of petroleum products seized under suspicious circumstances. “This is a continuation of our efforts to ensure that we block all avenues for smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage,” he added.
The seized petrol truck is expected to be further investigated and processed for possible prosecution. The Nigeria Customs Service has reiterated its commitment to combating smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage in the country.
