In a continued effort to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and uphold transparency in petroleum product regulation, the Nigeria Customs Service, under Operation Whirlwind, has formally handed over a truck laden with 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The handover ceremony, held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the Kebbi Area Command Headquarters, was conducted on behalf of Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Kola Oladeji, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind. He was ably represented by Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle Ibrahim fdc, Customs Area Controller, Kebbi Command. The NMDPRA was represented by Deputy Manager, Mr. Adamu Jamilu, who received the consignment on behalf of the State Coordinator for Sokoto and Kebbi States.
Also in attendance were Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Ntongha Okoi Edet, Commander Zone B, Operation Whirlwind, and senior management officials from both agencies.
In his remarks, Comptroller Matawalle emphasized that the exercise reflects the directive of the National Coordinator to ensure proper handling, investigation, and disposal of petroleum products intercepted under suspicious circumstances. He disclosed that the truck, bearing registration number NSR26ZL, was suspected of diversion and detained at the Kebbi Area Command. Investigations revealed that the consignment was originally designated for delivery in Borno State.
Receiving the truck, Mr. Jamilu commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and sustained efforts under Operation Whirlwind. He referenced a previous handover of two trucks containing approximately 105,000 litres of PMS in Sokoto on October 17, 2025, describing the collaboration as a model of effective inter-agency synergy.
The session concluded with the physical handover of the vehicle and documentation, reinforcing the commitment of both agencies to uphold accountability and safeguard Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
