The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that petroleum products allocated for Nigerians are delivered to their approved destinations in line with regulatory procedures.
The Katsina State Coordinator of the Authority, Muhammad Umar, stated this while receiving a truck handed over by the Nigeria Customs Service’s Operation Whirlwind at the Katsina Area Command Headquarters in Katsina.
The truck, bearing registration number SBA 146 SA, was intercepted by operatives of Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service along the Kano-Jigawa route at Birnin Kuka in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State for allegedly conveying diverted petroleum products in contravention of existing regulations.
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Umar, who confirmed receipt of the truck loaded with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), assured that the product would be delivered to its designated destination in accordance with regulatory procedures.
He said the action would ensure that the product reached the communities and consumers for whom it was originally allocated.
The NMDPRA coordinator said the Authority would continue to work with the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies to curb the diversion of petroleum products, safeguard government interventions and ensure effective distribution across the country.
Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Operation Whirlwind, Aliyu Abubakar, said the seizure followed credible intelligence and the vigilance of officers attached to the operation.
He said the operation remained committed to enforcing government policies aimed at preventing the diversion and smuggling of petroleum products, adding that offenders would continue to be identified, intercepted and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Abubakar acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for providing strategic coordination that strengthened the operation’s effectiveness.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Katsina Area Command for their leadership and support, while praising officers of Operation Whirlwind for their professionalism and dedication.
Also speaking, the Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Katsina Area Command, Mohammed Musa, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to supporting Federal Government efforts to combat fuel smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage.
Musa said the Command would continue to deploy intelligence-led operations, enhanced border surveillance and sustained inter-agency collaboration to address the challenge.
Operation Whirlwind is a special enforcement initiative of the Nigeria Customs Service established to tackle the illegal diversion and smuggling of petroleum products in support of Federal Government efforts to protect strategic national resources, strengthen energy security and ensure petroleum products reach legitimate consumers.
