Customs intercepts 120,000 litres of diverted petrol in Sokoto.

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has intercepted two trucks carrying a total of 120,000 litres of petrol suspected to have been diverted from their approved destination.

Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind for Zone B, Kola Olawole, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Sokoto on Friday.

He said the trucks, each loaded with 60,000 litres of petrol, were intercepted along the Sokoto–Illela road on October 4. The product was reportedly documented for delivery in Kano but was diverted towards Sokoto State.

According to him, the drivers of the trucks, with registration numbers DKA 309 XA and GSW 321 XA, abandoned the vehicles and fled when operatives attempted to arrest them.

“Our investigation indicates that the petrol was being diverted for smuggling through the Illela border. The offences involve irregular routing and documentation anomalies, which are clear violations of existing laws,” Olawole said.

He described fuel diversion as an act that undermines national development, energy security, and citizens’ welfare.

Olawole noted that Operation Whirlwind has significantly contributed to stabilising petrol supply nationwide by curbing smuggling and other related illicit activities.

The seized tankers were later handed over to the Sokoto/Kebbi Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Mr. Ali Ajimi.