The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the coordination of Operation Whirlwind, has handed over a truck laden with 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Birnin Kebbi.
The truck, with registration number NSR26ZL, was presented by the Customs Area Controller, Kebbi Command, Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle Ibrahim, on behalf of the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Kola Oladeji, National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind.
The handover took place on Tuesday, 28th October 2025, at the Command Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, and was received on behalf of the NMDPRA by Adamu Jamilu, Deputy Manager and representative of the State Coordinator for Sokoto and Kebbi States.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller Matawalle said the exercise reflects the directive of the National Coordinator to deepen inter-agency collaboration, enhance transparency, and ensure due process in the management of petroleum products seized or intercepted under questionable circumstances.
He explained that the truck was intercepted on suspicion of diversion and detained at the Kebbi Area Command pending investigation, which later revealed that the product was originally meant for delivery in Borno State.
In his response, Jamilu commended the Customs for its vigilance and sustained commitment under Operation Whirlwind. He acknowledged that the NMDPRA had earlier received two trucks containing about 105,000 litres of PMS handed over by the NCS in Sokoto on 17th October 2025, describing the ongoing cooperation as a model of effective inter-agency synergy.
The session concluded with the formal handover of the vehicle and accompanying documentation to the NMDPRA at the Command’s premises.
The hand over was attended by the Commander, Zone B, Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Ntongha Okoi Edet, alongside senior officials from both agencies.