The National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Kola Oladeji, has handed over a truck laden with 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in a move that underscores sustained collaboration in curbing fuel diversion and smuggling.
The handover, which took place at the Nigeria Customs Service Kebbi Area Command Headquarters, Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday, was performed on behalf of ACG Oladeji by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle Ibrahim (fdc). The NMDPRA delegation was led by Deputy Manager, Mr. Adamu Jamilu, who received the consignment on behalf of the State Coordinator, Sokoto and Kebbi States.
The event was also attended by the Commander, Zone B Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Ntongha Okoi Edet, as well as senior management officials from both agencies.
Speaking at the ceremony, Comptroller Matawalle reaffirmed that the exercise reflects the vision and directive of the National Coordinator to foster closer collaboration between security and regulatory agencies in the petroleum sector.
“Operation Whirlwind remains committed to strengthening inter-agency cooperation, promoting transparency and accountability, and ensuring that all petroleum products intercepted under suspicious circumstances are properly investigated and handed over for regulatory action,” Matawalle stated.
He explained that the truck, with registration number NSR26ZL, was detained at the Kebbi Command after it was suspected of diversion. Subsequent investigation, he noted, revealed that the product was originally meant for delivery in Borno State.
Receiving the consignment, NMDPRA’s Mr. Adamu Jamilu expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and professionalism under Operation Whirlwind.
“We commend the Nigeria Customs Service for sustaining this level of transparency and cooperation. This handover reinforces our shared commitment to sanitising the downstream sector,” Jamilu said.
He recalled that a similar handover involving two trucks containing about 105,000 litres of PMS took place in Sokoto on October 17, 2025, describing the ongoing collaboration as “a commendable example of inter-agency synergy for national interest.”
The event concluded with the formal exchange of vehicle documents and physical inspection of the truck by officials from both agencies.
Oladeji’s Operation Whirlwind Hands Over 60,000-Litre PMS Truck to NMDPRA
