Customs intercepts 120,000 litres of diverted petrol in Sokoto

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the special enforcement Operation Whirlwind, has intercepted two trucks carrying a combined total of 120,000 litres of petrol suspected to have been diverted from their official destination.
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Speaking to journalists in Sokoto, Kola Olawole, coordinator of Operation Whirlwind for Zone B, revealed that the trucks, each loaded with 60,000 litres, were stopped along the Sokoto-Illela road on October 4. The petrol was originally documented for delivery to Kano but was diverted en route to Sokoto State.
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The drivers of the trucks, bearing registration numbers DKA 309 XA and GSW 321 XA, fled when Customs operatives attempted to apprehend them.
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‎Olawole stated that the investigation indicated the fuel was being diverted for smuggling through the Illela border, involving irregular routing and documentation anomalies, violations of Nigerian law.Olawole stressed that fuel diversion is more than just an economic crime, it undermines national development, energy security, and citizens’ welfare.
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The seized tankers were handed over to Mr Ali Ajimi, the Sokoto/Kebbi coordinator for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), who commended the Customs Service for its vigilance and cooperation in tackling smuggling and economic crimes.