Customs Seizes Fuel Truck Allegedly Diverted From Borno to Kebbi for Smuggling

Story: Written by Daniel October 29,2025

Operatives of Operation Whirlwind under the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted a fuel tanker loaded with 60,000 liters of petrol suspected to have been diverted from its approved route.

The tanker, bearing registration number NSR26ZL, was stopped along a border corridor in Kebbi State after officers discovered the product was being moved toward an exit point out of the country instead of its approved destination in Borno State.

Addressing the press on Tuesday at the Customs Area Command in Birnin Kebbi, Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle Ibrahim — speaking on behalf of Operation Whirlwind’s National Coordinator, ACG Dr. Kola Oladeji — explained that the tanker was tracked following credible intelligence.

He said findings showed that the consignment was meant for legal distribution in Borno but was diverted with the intention of illegal export.

The seized cargo, estimated at more than ₦60 million, has now been transferred to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for follow-up action.

Mr. Ali Ajimi, Deputy Manager of NMDPRA for Kebbi and Sokoto, took delivery of the truck on behalf of the agency.