 and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) declared an all-out offensive){kind=link}
By: Abdullahi InuwaÂ
The battle against fuel smuggling gathered fresh momentum in Katsina State on Tuesday as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) declared an all-out offensive against criminal networks diverting petroleum products across Nigeria’s borders.
The renewed crackdown followed the interception of an oil tanker carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), a seizure authorities described as another major breakthrough in the ongoing war against economic sabotage.
At the official handover of the confiscated tanker to the NMDPRA in Katsina, senior officials of both agencies vowed to tighten surveillance, strengthen intelligence sharing and dismantle the syndicates profiting from the illegal movement of fuel meant for Nigerian consumers.
National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Aliyu Abubakar (Professor in Practice), revealed that the truck tanker, bearing registration number SBA 146 XA, was intercepted along the Birnin Kuka Outstation axis in Mashi Local Government Area, an area considered vulnerable to cross-border smuggling activities.
He warned that petroleum smuggling is far more than a commercial offence, describing it as a serious threat to Nigeria’s economy and national security.
According to him, every litre of fuel illegally diverted across the border drains government revenue, disrupts domestic supply, encourages artificial scarcity and strengthens criminal networks operating within and beyond Nigeria’s frontiers.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in protecting the nation’s economic interests. We will continue to work closely with the NMDPRA and other security agencies through intelligence-driven operations and strict enforcement of the law to dismantle fuel smuggling networks operating in and around Katsina State,” he said.
Abubakar reaffirmed that Operation Whirlwind would sustain relentless pressure on smugglers, stressing that there would be no safe haven for those sabotaging Nigeria’s economy through the illegal diversion of petroleum products.
“We will always partner with the NMDPRA to fight this evil act of fuel diversion,” he declared.
He also appealed to border communities, fuel marketers, transporters, filling station operators and other stakeholders to become active partners in the campaign by reporting suspicious movements and complying with all regulations governing the distribution of petroleum products.
Responding, the Katsina State Coordinator of the NMDPRA, Umar Muhammad, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its consistent efforts in protecting the nation’s strategic resources.
He pledged that the Authority would intensify monitoring of petroleum product movement to ensure strict regulatory compliance and prevent illegal diversion.
“We will make sure that the petroleum products reach legitimate consumers,” Muhammad assured.
Industry observers say the latest seizure sends a strong warning to fuel smugglers who have continued to exploit Nigeria’s border communities for illicit trade despite sustained security operations.
The handover ceremony, held at the Customs House in Katsina on August 4, 2026, was witnessed by the Customs Area Controller, members of the Command’s management team and officials of the NMDPRA.
With the latest interception, both agencies have signalled that the fight against fuel diversion is entering a more aggressive phase, as authorities move to protect Nigeria’s energy security, safeguard public revenue and ensure that petroleum products reach the citizens for whom they are intended.
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